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diffident

 - 2 dictionary results

dif⋅fi⋅dent

  [dif-i-duhnt]
Use diffident in a Sentence
–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 diffīdēns 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 shy 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To diffident
dif·fi·dent   (dĭf'ĭ-dənt, -děnt')   
adj.  

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

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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