Part 3098

<i>Dr. H. More.</i>

<h1>Diffidence</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif"fi*dence</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diffidentia</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others.</def> <mark>[Archaic]</mark>

<blockquote>That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me down even to a <b>diffidence</b> of God's mercy. <i>Donne.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.</def>

<blockquote>It is good to speak on such questions with <b>diffidence</b>. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>An Englishman's habitual <b>diffidence</b> and awkwardness of adress. <i>W. Irving.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See <er>Humility</er>, and <er>Bashfulness</er>.</syn>

<h1>Diffidency</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif"fi*den*cy</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>See <er>Diffidence</er>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Diffident</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif"fi*dent</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diffidens</ets>, <ets>-entis</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>diffidere</ets>; <ets>dif-</ets> = <ets>dis + fidere</ets> to trust; akin to <ets>fides</ets> faith. See <er>Faith</er>, and cf. <er>Defy</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Wanting confidence in others; distrustful.</def> <mark>[Archaic]</mark>

<blockquote>You were always extremely <b>diffident</b> of their success. <i>Melmoth.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>diffident</b> maidens, Folding their hands in prayer. <i>Longfellow.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.</syn>

<h1>Diffidently</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif"fi*dent*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a diffident manner.</def>

<blockquote>To stand <b>diffidently</b> against each other with their thoughts in battle array. <i>Hobbes.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Diffind</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif*find</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diffindere</ets>, <ets>diffissum</ets>; <ets>dif- = findere</ets> to split.]</ety> <def>To split.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Bailey.</i>

<h1>Diffine</h1> <Xpage=410>

<hw>Dif*fine"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To define.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>iffinitive</h1> <Xpage=410>