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Webster 1913 Edition

Diligence

Dil′i-gence

,
Noun.
[F.
diligence
, L.
diligentia
.]
1.
The quality of being diligent; carefulness; careful attention; – the opposite of negligence.
2.
Interested and persevering application; devoted and painstaking effort to accomplish what is undertaken; assiduity in service.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me is
diligence
.
Shakespeare
3.
(Scots Law)
Process by which persons, lands, or effects are seized for debt; process for enforcing the attendance of witnesses or the production of writings.
To do one’s diligence
,
give diligence
,
use diligence
,
to exert one's self; to make interested and earnest endeavor.
Syn. – Attention; industry; assiduity; sedulousness; earnestness; constancy; heed; heedfulness; care; caution. –
Diligence
,
Industry
. Industry has the wider sense of the two, implying an habitual devotion to labor for some valuable end, as knowledge, property, etc. Diligence denotes earnest application to some specific object or pursuit, which more or less directly has a strong hold on one's interests or feelings. A man may be diligent for a time, or in seeking some favorite end, without meriting the title of industrious. Such was the case with Fox, while Burke was eminent not only for diligence, but industry; he was always at work, and always looking out for some new field of mental effort.
The sweat of
industry
would dry and die,
But for the end it works to.
Shakespeare
Diligence
and accuracy are the only merits which an historical writer ascribe to himself.
Gibbon.
‖

Diˊli-gence′

,
Noun.
[F.]
A four-wheeled public stagecoach, used in France.

Webster 1828 Edition

Diligence

DILIGENCE

,
Noun.
[L., to love earnestly; to choose.]
1.
Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity.
Diligence is the philosophers stone that turns every thing to gold.
Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1.
2.
Care; heed; heedfulness.
Keep thy heart with all diligence. Proverbs 4.
3.
The name of a stage-coach, used in France.

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