different between diffidence vs diffidently

English

Etymology

From Latin diff?dentiam (“distrust”), from diff?dere (“to mistrust”), from dis- and f?dere (“to trust”). Attested since ?1400. The original sense was antonymous with confidence, and the modern sense of ‘distrusting oneself’ dates from the 1650s.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?d?f?d?ns/

Noun

diffidence (countable and uncountable, plural diffidences)

1. The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
   • 1857, Brigham Young, Journal of Discources, Attention and Reflection Necessary to An Increase of Knowledge, etc.

     I have the same diffidence in my feelings that most public speakers have, and am apt to think that others can speak better and more edifying than I can.

   • 1897, José María de Pereda, translated by William Henry Bishop, Cleto's Proposal to Sotileza (an excerpt from Sotileza)

     "I was passing by," he began to stammer, trembling with his diffidence, "I—happened to be passing along this way, and so—er—as I was passing this way, I says to myself, says I, 'I'll just stop into the shop a minute.'
2. (obsolete) Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something.
   • 1591, William Shakespeare, Henry VI part I, act 3 scene 3

     [Charles, King of France]: We have been guided by thee hitherto,

     And of thy cunning had no diffidence:

     One sudden foil shall never breed distrust.

Related terms

Translations

References

English

Etymology

From diffident +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?d?f.?.d?nt.li/

Adverb

diffidently (comparative more diffidently, superlative most diffidently)

1. In a diffident manner; without confidence in oneself.
   • 1856, John Lothrop Motley, The Rise of the Dutch Republic, preface

     The author too keenly feels that he has no further claims than these, and he therefore most diffidently asks for his work the indulgence of his readers.

Synonyms

• (in a diffident manner): bashfully, hesitantly, humbly, shyly, uncertainly

Related terms

• diffidence
• diffident

Translations