Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Confidence
Con′fi-dence
,Noun.
[L.
confidentia
firm trust in, self-confidence: cf. F. confidence
.] 1.
The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; – formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.
Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
confidence
of one another’s integrity. South.
A cheerful
confidence in the mercy of God
. Macaulay.
2.
That in which faith is put or reliance had.
The Lord shall be thy
confidence
. Prov. iii. 26.
3.
The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; – often with self prefixed.
Your wisdom is consumed in
Do not go forth to-day.
confidence
;Do not go forth to-day.
Shakespeare
But
Either to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial.
confidence
then bore thee on secureEither to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial.
Milton.
4.
Private conversation; (
pl.
) secrets shared; as, there were
. confidences
between themSir, I desire some
confidence
with you. Shakespeare
Syn. – Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
I am
confident
that very much be done. Boyle.
2.
Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
Be
We three are but thyself.
confident
to speak, Northumberland;We three are but thyself.
Shakespeare
3.
Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
As
Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.
confident
as is the falcon's flightAgainst a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.
Shakespeare
4.
Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
The fool rageth and is
confident
. Prov. xiv. 16.
5.
Giving occasion for confidence.
[R.]
The cause was more
confident
than the event was prosperous. Jer. Taylor.
Webster 1828 Edition
Confidence
CON'FIDENCE
,Noun.
1.
A trusting, or reliance; an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another, or in the truth and reality of a fact.It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118.
I rejoice that I have confidence in you in all things. 2 Corinthians 7.
Mutual confidence is the basis of social happiness.
I place confidence in a statement, or in an official report.
2.
Trust; reliance; applied to one's own abilities, or fortune; belief in one's own competency.His times being rather prosperous than calm, had raised his confidence by success.
3.
That in which trust is placed; ground of trust; he or that which supports.Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence. Jeremiah 48.
Jehovah shall be thy confidence. Proverbs 3.
4.
Safety, or assurance of safety; security.They shall build houses and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence. Ezekiel 28.
5.
Boldness; courage.Preaching the kingdom of God with all confidence. Acts 28.
6.
Excessive boldness; assurance, proceeding forom vanity or a false opinion of one's own abilities, or excellencies.Their confidence ariseth from too much credit given to their own wits.
Definition 2024
confidence
confidence
English
Noun
confidence (uncountable)
- Passive self-assurance.
- Expression or feeling of certainty.
- The quality of trusting.
- Information held in secret.
Quotations
- 2006, Edwin Black, chapter 1, in Internal Combustion:
- But electric vehicles and the batteries that made them run became ensnared in corporate scandals, fraud, and monopolistic corruption that shook the confidence of the nation and inspired automotive upstarts.
- 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 39
- Khedron hesitated for a moment, wondering how far he should take Jeserac into his confidence. He knew that Jeserac was kindly and well-intentioned, but he also knew that he must be bound by the same taboos that controlled everyone on Diaspar.
Antonyms
- (self-assurance): fear
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
self-assurance
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expression or feeling of certainty
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quality of trusting
information held in secret
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