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diffident

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
dif·fi·dent  (df-dnt, -dnt)
adj.
1. Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid. See Synonyms at shy1.
2. Reserved in manner.

[Middle English, from Latin diffdns, diffdent-, present participle of diffdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fdere, to trust; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots.]

diffi·dent·ly adv.

diffident
Adjective
lacking self-confidence; shy [Latin dis- not + fidere to trust]
diffidence n
diffidently adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.diffident - showing modest reserve; "she was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture"
reserved - marked by self-restraint and reticence; "was habitually reserved in speech, withholding her opinion"-Victoria Sackville-West
2.diffidentdiffident - lacking self-confidence; "stood in the doorway diffident and abashed"; "problems that call for bold not timid responses"; "a very unsure young man"
confident - having or marked by confidence or assurance; "a confident speaker"; "a confident reply"; "his manner is more confident these days"; "confident of fulfillment"

diffident
Translations
Spanish diffident [ˈdɪfɪdənt] adjtímido
French diffident [ˈdɪfɪdənt] adjqui manque de confiance or d'assurance, peu sûr(e) de soi
German diffident [ˈdɪfɪdənt] diffidence adjbescheiden, zurückhaltend
Italian diffident [ˈdɪfɪdənt] adjsfiduciato/a

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Edward (replied she) you are surely too diffident in your own praise.
You've opened your house to Jones and me in the most generous way; Jones was remark- ing upon it to-day, just before you came back from the village; for although he wouldn't be likely to say such a thing to you -- because Jones isn't a talker, and is diffident in society -- he has a good heart and a grateful, and knows how to appreciate it when he is well treated; yes, you and your wife have been very hospitable toward us --"
Gouvernail was in no sense a diffident man, for he was not a self-conscious one.
 
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