diffident

Meanings

• adjective

  Hesitant or uncertain in expression or manner; shy or reticent.

  - "Despite her diffident demeanor, she gave an impressive presentation."
  - "The diffident student was called on in class and froze."

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Synonyms

modest , timid

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with diffident
different , defiant , delightful , refinement

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Variants

List of all variants of diffident that leads to same result
diffident , diffidently

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'doubtful' or 'hesitant', from Old French diffidier 'delay, defer', from dis- 'apart' + fidere 'trust'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'diffident' has six letters, all of which appear in the word 'hesitant'.

2. In the novel 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, the character St. John Rivers is described as 'diffident' in his proposal to Jane.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. hesitant: Related concept: a person or thing that hesitates or delays before acting.

2. reticent: Related concept: a person who is reluctant to speak or reveal information.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. … a boy of 8 or 13, gazing foursquare at the camera, "diffident" but showing off, petulant but vulnerable …

   - Walker Percy,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},11 Oct. 1987

2. Whatever made him "diffident" at the prospect of having a military strike ordered in his defense, he kept it to himself.

   - George Stephanopoulos,{it}Newsweek{/it},15 Mar. 1999

3. "It's Indianapolis 500," Andrew said with a polite smile, pleasing me with his "diffident" correction.

   - Camille Minichino,{it}The Lithium Murder{/it},1999

4. 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,{it}From Dawn to Decadence{/it},2000

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The word 'diffident' has been used in literature to describe characters who are hesitant or unsure of themselves. In art, it can refer to a painting or sculpture that is shy or reticent in expressing its emotions. In music, a diffident performance might be one that is hesitant or uncertain.

How to Memorize "diffident"

1. visualize
   

   - To visualize 'diffident', imagine a person who is hesitant or unsure, holding back or delaying their actions or words.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'diffident' with the image of a shy or reticent person, or with the idea of hesitation or doubt.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Doubtful, hesitant, uncertain: Diffident.'

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