| 释义 |
confidential, a.|kɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəl|
[f. L. confīdentia confidence n. + -al1. Cf. F. confidentiel.]
†1. Confident, bold. Obs. rare.
1651Mr. Love's Case 38 With such confidential raptures and gloryings as these. 1680[see confidentially].
2. Of the nature of confidence; spoken or written in confidence; characterized by the communication of secrets or private matters.
confidential communication: a communication made between parties who stand in a confidential relation to each other, and therefore privileged in law. confidential relation: the relation existing between a lawyer and his client, between guardian and ward.
[1755–73not in J.] a1773Chesterfield (T.), I am desirous to begin a confidential correspondence with you. 1797Burke Regic. Peace iii. Wks. VIII. 279 Not being admitted to the closest and most confidential connexions with the metropolis of that fraternity. Ibid. VIII. 333 We made two confidential communications to [them]. 1883Manch. Guard. 12 Oct. 5/6 The report..was to be made..without any confidential mention of the names of persons.
3. Betokening private intimacy, or the confiding of private secrets.
1759Pitt in Ellis Orig. Lett. ii. 474 IV. 408 The growing harmony and confidential friendship which daily manifest themselves between their Majesties. 1795Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 308 Talking the confidential language of friendship in the public theatre. 1813Scott Rokeby vi. vii, With low and confidential tone. 1884F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer I. 29 Nino became very confidential.
4. Enjoying the confidence of another person; entrusted with secrets; charged with secret service.
1805Nelson in Nicolas Disp. (1846) VII. 79 The very great good derived to His Majesty's service from Captains being allowed confidential Officers as their First Lieutenants. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 133 Confidential persons were despatched into Italy to obtain an interview..with the pope. |