diffidence








noun

  1. the quality or state of being diffident.
n.

c.1400, from Latin diffidentia “mistrust, distrust, want of confidence,” from diffidere “to mistrust, lack confidence,” from dis- “away” (see dis-) + fidere “to trust” (see faith). Modern sense is of “distrusting oneself” (1650s). The original sense was the opposite of confidence.

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