Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
diffidence - 4 dictionary results

dif⋅fi⋅dence

[dif-i-duhns]
–noun
the quality or state of being diffident.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L diffīdentia mistrust, want of confidence. See diffident, -ence
dif·fi·dence   (dĭf'ĭ-dəns, -děns')   
n.  The quality or state of being diffident; timidity or shyness.

Diffidence

Dif"fi*dence\, n. [L. diffidentia.]

1. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others. [Archaic]

That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me down even to a diffidence of God's mercy. --Donne.

2. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.

It is good to speak on such questions with diffidence. --Macaulay.

An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness of address. --W. Irving.

Syn: Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See Humility, and Bashfulness.

diffidence 
1526, from L. diffidentia "want of confidence," from diffidere "to mistrust, lack confidence," from dis- "away" + fidere "to trust" (see faith). Modern sense is of "distrusting oneself" (1651). The original sense was the opposite of confidence.
Search another word or see diffidence on Thesaurus | Reference