DIFFIDENCE • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Diffidence

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Diffidence n.

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."

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." "An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness of address."

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

See images of 'Diffidence'

Etymology of 'Diffidence'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Diffidence" Quotes from Famous Books

... a little of the northern shyness, Dalrymple was not diffident. There is a great difference between shyness and diffidence. Diffidence distrusts itself; shyness distrusts the mere outward impression made on others. At this time Dalrymple had no object beyond enjoying the pleasure of talking with Maria Addolorata, and no hope beyond that of some day seeing her face without the veil. As for her voice, ...

— Casa Braccio, Volumes 1 and 2 (of 2) • F. Marion Crawford

... the happiest of my sex; but it has not increased, it could not increase, my tenderness: with what softness, what diffidence, what respect, what delicacy, was this declaration made! my dear friend, he is a god, and my ardent affection for him is ...

— The History of Emily Montague • Frances Brooke

... puts forward with diffidence, is that somebody, somewhere, somehow, sometime must do ...

— Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 15, 1914 • Various

... is with the utmost diffidence I venture to hold a different opinion from a critic of such weight as Morelli (see "Italian Painters," i. 92), but a careful comparison has forced me to subscribe to the later judgments. Crowe & Cavalcaselle ...

— Luca Signorelli • Maud Cruttwell

... Haines, kept a small wholesale liquor store in one of the most populous, where all were populous, quarters of the East Side; also Curley had a pull as a ward politician, which might very readily account for Muggy Ladd's diffidence; and Curley was credited with doing a thriving business—both ways—as ward heeler and liquor purveyor. Certainly, at least, he was known always to have money; and had even been known at times to lend it freely to those in want—for a consideration. Yes, it was ...

— The Further Adventures of Jimmie Dale • Frank L. Packard

More quotes...