| 释义 |
diffident, a.|ˈdɪfɪdənt|
[ad. L. diffīdent-em, pr. pple. of diffīdĕre to mistrust; see diffide, and -ent. (The opposite of confident.)]
1. Wanting confidence or trust (in); distrustful, mistrustful (of).
1598Florio, Diffidénte, mistrustful, diffident. a1618Raleigh Mohomet (1637) 207 In the constancie of his people he was somewhat diffident. a1631Donne Serm. xii. 114 A fainting and a diffident Spirit. 1667Milton P.L. viii. 562 Be not diffident Of Wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss her not, when most thou needst her nigh. 1691Ray Creation i. (1704) 159, I am somewhat diffident of the truth of those Stories. 1734Watts Reliq. Juv. (1789) 131 A feeble man and diffident had need to pray daily, Lord, lead us not into temptation. 1802H. Martin Helen of Glenross III. 330 Had I been more diffident in its effects, I had not trusted..to it. 1873Symonds Grk. Poets v. 141 The English are not musicians, and are diffident in general of the artist class.
2. Wanting in self-confidence; distrustful of oneself; not confident in disposition; timid, shy, modest, bashful. (The usual current sense.)
[1648Eikon Bas. xi. (1824) 88, I am not so diffident of My selfe, as brutishly to submit to any men's dictates.] 1713Addison Cato ii. i, Let us appear nor rash nor diffident. 1785F. Burney Lett. 3 Jan., He [Dr. Johnson] never attacked the unassuming, nor meant to terrify the diffident. 1835W. Irving Newstead Abbey Crayon Misc. (1863) 362 She was shy and diffident. 1882B. M. Croker Proper Pride I. ii. 42 She little knew that the apparently diffident young man was the life and soul of his mess. |