Diffident.


dif·fi·dent

  [dif-i-duhnt]


adjective
1.
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness;timid; shy.
2.
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
3.
Archaic distrustful.

Origin: 
1425–75; late Middle English  < Latin diffīdent-  (stem of diffīdēns mistrusting, despairing present participle of diffīdere ), equivalentto dif- dif-  + fīd-  trust + -ent- -ent


dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb
dif·fi·dent·ness, noun
non·dif·fi·dent, adjective
non·dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb
un·dif·fi·dent, adjective


1.  self-conscious, self-effacing, abashed, embarrassed, modest,unassuming, unconfident.


Examples of DIFFIDENT

  1. She was diffident about stating her opinion.
  2. <for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life>
  3. Being suspicious of conventions, demotic equals were often at a loss in their daily encounters: shall one act diffident or clamant of one's rights? —Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000

Comments

  1. great addition to my very limited english vocabulary. lol

    And I'm quite sure I'm not diffident. hehehe

    ReplyDelete

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