DIFFIDENCE • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Diffidence

Translators

Dictionaries

Courses

Other

Home

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

... quite sensible of the diffidence with which any outsider should touch any question of Chinese language or orthography. A Chinese scholar and missionary (Mr. Moule) objects to my spelling chau, whilst he, I see, uses chow. I imagine we mean the same sound, according to the spelling which I try to use ...

— The Travels of Marco Polo Volume 1 • Marco Polo and Rustichello of Pisa

... furnishing him as much instruction as the time and circumstances would allow. Raoul bore this very well, waiting patiently for the light to disappear, when he felt a perfect confidence of again meeting Ghita on the promenade. As he had discovered how much more safety there was in diffidence than in pretension, he found his task of deception comparatively easy; and by letting the vice-governatore have his own way, he not only succeeded in gaining that functionary over to a full belief in his ...

— The Wing-and-Wing - Le Feu-Follet • J. Fenimore Cooper

... and keen. Mr. Rivers now closed his book, approached the table, and, as he took a seat, fixed his blue pictorial-looking eyes full on me. There was an unceremonious directness, a searching, decided steadfastness in his gaze now, which told that intention, and not diffidence, had hitherto kept ...

— Jane Eyre - an Autobiography • Charlotte Bronte

... found growing in every part of the island in the utmost luxuriancy and abundance. This will, beyond doubt, appear strange to the reader after what has been related in the former part of my work: and in future, let the credit of the testimony be as high as it may, I shall never without diffidence and hesitation presume to contradict the narrations of Mr. Cook. The truth is, that those sent to settle and explore the island knew not the form in which the plant grows, and were unfurnished with every particular which could ...

— A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay • Watkin Tench

... argue, I say, but thy diffidence of God? and that thou countest salvation safer in thine own righteousness than in the righteousness of God? and that thy own love to, and care of thy own soul, is far greater, and so much better, than is the care ...

— The Pharisee And The Publican • John Bunyan

More quotes...