Prestige is a word commonly used to describe reputation or esteem, though it has three somewhat related meanings that, to some degree, may be contradictory. Which meaning applies depends on the historical context and the person using the word. Look up prestige in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up reputation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Dignity in humans involves the earning or the expectation of personal respect or of esteem. ...
Originally, prestige referred to pomposity, which was taken as a sign of poor taste. In this regard, the word had strictly negative connotations. Indeed, the root of the word "prestige" comes from the Latin præstigum, meaning a delusion or a trick. In some Romance languages "prestige" retains this original meaning. The Romance languages (sometimes referred to as Romanic languages) are a branch of the Indo-European language family, comprising all the languages that descend from Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. ...
Later, prestige developed a positive meaning: it describes high esteem and a solid reputation. Institutions, awards, and events could be described as "prestigious"; in this case, it would be favorable to be associated with them. Often, "prestige" also carries an air of association with the upper class. This is the use of the word most common today, familiar to all social classes within English-speaking societies. Upper class refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...
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