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Webster 1913 Edition


Diffident

Dif′fi-dent

,
Adj.
[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.
Syn. – Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.

Webster 1828 Edition


Diffident

DIFFIDENT

,
Adj.
1.
Distrustful; wanting confidence; doubting of anothers power, disposition, sincerity or intention.
Be not diffident of wisdom.
Be diffident in dealing with strangers.
2.
Distrustful of ones self; not confident; doubtful of ones own power or competency.
Distress makes the humble heart diffident.
3.
Reserved; modest; timid; as a diffident youth.

Definition 2024


diffident

diffident

English

Adjective

diffident (comparative more diffident, superlative most diffident)

  1. (archaic): Lacking confidence in others; distrustful.
  2. Lacking confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve.

Translations


Latin

Verb

diffīdent

  1. third-person plural future active indicative of diffīdō