diffidence
English
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
diffidence
- /ˈdɪfɪdəns/
Where it comes from
From Latin diffīdentiam (“distrust”), from diffīdere (“to mistrust”), from dis- and fīdere (“to trust”). Attested since ∼1400. The original sense was antonymous with confidence, and the modern sense of ‘distrusting oneself’ dates from the 1650s.
noun diffidences
- The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement. Without scruple—without apology—without much apparent diffidence, Mr. Elton, the lover of Harriet, was professing himself her lover.
- Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something. [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.
Translations
Every language
noun the state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement
| Français | timidité |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | Zurückhaltung, Verlegenheit, Schüchternheit |
| Ελληνικά | αιδημοσύνη aidimosýni |
| Русский | застенчивость zastenčivostʹ, ро́бость róbostʹ, неуве́ренность neuvérennostʹ |
noun mistrust
| Deutsch | Diffidenz |
|---|
Talk about this word "diffidence." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/diffidence. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. diffidence. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/diffidence "diffidence." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/diffidence.Cite this
@misc{diffidence_2026,
title = {diffidence},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/diffidence},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
