Diffidence
['dɪfɪd(ə)ns]
Definition
(n.) The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others.
(n.) Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.
Inputed by Antonia
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Distrust, doubt.[2]. Bashfulness, timidity, sheepishness, extreme modesty, distrust of one's self, lack or want of self-reliance.
Checker: Myrna
Examples
- I presently asked, with increasing diffidence. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- This lady received the visitors with a mixture of ceremony and diffidence quite English. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- As he had shown no diffidence on the subject, I ventured on the liberty of asking him the question, when he stood before me, dusting his hands. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Mr. Cruncher, with some diffidence, explained himself as meaning Old Nick's. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- This naturally introduced a panegyric from Jane on his diffidence, and the little value he put on his own good qualities. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I asked, with awkward diffidence. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Her look of confidence and diffidence contrasted with Ursula's sensitive expectancy. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- His diffidence had prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but his reliance on mine made every thing easy. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- The first feelings of diffidence overcome, Caroline soon felt glad to talk with Miss Keeldar. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He also recommends it to us, To speak, though sure, with seeming diffidence. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- My father was in the mean time overjoyed, and, in the bustle of preparation, only observed in the melancholy of his niece the diffidence of a bride. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- Caroline advanced to the mighty matron with some sense of diffidence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- What affectation of diffidence was this at first? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Without scruplewithout apologywithout much apparent diffidence, Mr. Elton, the lover of Harriet, was professing himself _her_ lover. Jane Austen. Emma.
Typist: Psyche