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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dif·fi·dent

Audio Help [dif-i-duh

–adjective

1.	lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

2.	restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

3.	Archaic. distrustful.

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < L diffīdent- (s. of diffīdéns mistrusting, despairing prp. of diffīdere), equiv. to dif- dif- + fīd- trust + -ent- -ent

]

—Related forms

dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb

dif·fi·dent·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. self-conscious, self-effacing, abashed, embarrassed, modest, unassuming, unconfident. See shy¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
diffident

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dif·fi·dent Audio Help (dĭf'ĭ-dənt, -děnt') Pronunciation Key
adj.

Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid. See Synonyms at shy¹.
Reserved in manner.

[Middle English, from Latin diffīdēns, diffīdent-, present participle of diffīdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fīdere, to trust; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots.]

dif'fi·dent·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

diffident
adjective
1.	showing modest reserve; "she was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture"
2.	lacking self-confidence; "stood in the doorway diffident and abashed"; "problems that call for bold not timid responses"; "a very unsure young man" [ant: confident]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source - Share This
diffident [ˈdifidənt] adjective

not confident

Arabic:	عَديم الثِّقَه بِنَفْسِهِ
Chinese (Simplified):	缺乏自信的
Chinese (Traditional):	缺乏自信的
Czech:	nesmělý, bázlivý
Danish:	usikker; sky
Dutch:	verlegen
Estonian:	ebakindel, tagasihoidlik
Finnish:	epävarma
French:	qui manque d'assurance
German:	schüchtern
Greek:	διστακτικός
Hungarian:	félénk
Icelandic:	óframfærinn
Indonesian:	tidak yakin
Italian:	insicuro

Japanese:	自信がない
Korean:	자신이 없는
Latvian:	nedrošs; bikls
Lithuanian:	nepasitikintis savimi
Norwegian:	usikker, nølende, forknytt
Polish:	niepewny
Portuguese (Brazil):	inseguro, hesitante
Portuguese (Portugal):	inseguro
Romanian:	neîncrezător (în sine)
Russian:	неуверенный в себе
Slovak:	nesmelý
Slovenian:	nezaupljiv
Spanish:	inseguro
Swedish:	försagd
Turkish:	çekingen, pısırık

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Diffident

De*fy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defied; p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.] [F. d['e]fier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.]

1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.]

I defy the surety and the bond. --Chaucer.

For thee I have defied my constant mistress. --Beau. & Fl.

2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. --Milton.

I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary. --Burke.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Diffident

Dif*fide"\, v. i. [L. diffidere. See Diffident.] To be distrustful. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Diffident

Dif"fi*dent\, a. [L. diffidens, -entis, p. pr. of diffidere; dif- = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Defy.]

1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic]

You were always extremely diffident of their success. --Melmoth.

2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve.

The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in prayer. --Longfellow.

Syn: Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.

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