8 results for: diffident
dif·fi·dent
Audio Help [dif-i-duh
nt] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
Audio Help [dif-i-duh
nt] Pronunciation Key –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. |
diffident
To learn more about diffident visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| dif·fi·dent
Audio Help (dĭf'ĭ-dənt, -děnt') Pronunciation Key
adj.
[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. |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
| 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] |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
diffident [ˈdifidənt] adjective
not confident
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version), © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
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, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Diffident
Dif*fide"\, v. i. [L. diffidere. See Diffident.] To be distrustful. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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