DIFFIDENCE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Diffidence

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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.

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Etymology of 'Diffidence'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Diffidence" Quotes from Famous Books

... Turbulent, must have appeared really distressing. And, in truth, Mr. Smelt himself, little imagining what had preceded the interview, was so much struck with his manner and looks, that he conceived him to be afraid of poor little me, and observed, afterwards, with what "blushing diffidence" he had ...

— The Diary and Letters of Madam D'Arblay Volume 2 • Madame D'Arblay

... announced Pan, with just a little diffidence. Perhaps if he was not remembered personally he might have the good luck ...

— Valley of Wild Horses • Zane Grey

... to precede him from the room. When he was alone he smiled sheepishly, and also disdainfully; he knew that the chasm between himself and the others was a real chasm, and not a figment of his childish diffidence, as he had sometimes suspected it to be. Then he turned the gas out. A beautiful faint silver surged through the window. While the debate was in progress, the sun had been going about its ...

— Clayhanger • Arnold Bennett

... which every young man should treasure up in his memory, "I retained the habit of expressing myself in terms of modest diffidence; never using, when I advanced anything that might possibly be disputed, the words, certainly, undoubtedly, or any others that give the air of positiveness to an opinion; but rather, I conceive, or apprehend a thing to be so and so. It ...

— Benjamin Franklin, A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years Ago - American Pioneers and Patriots Series • John S. C. Abbott

... husband had never looked for—beauty; while the many opportunities for improvement and cultivation which she enjoyed, and the good society into which she was thrown, worked a like marvellous change in her manners. All her nervous diffidence banished, and in its place she had acquired a dignified self-possession and grace of manner, which fitted her well for the station of influence she was to occupy. Soon after her return, her husband was elected Governor; and the city was already ringing with praises of the loveliness and affability ...

— Lewie - Or, The Bended Twig • Cousin Cicely

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