Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
confidence of one another's integrity. --South.
A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
--Macaulay.
2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.
The Lord shall be thy confidence. --Prov. iii.
26.
3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on
himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of
self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of
security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go
forth to-day. --Shak.
But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to
meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
--Milton.
4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
confidences between them.
Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.
{Confidence game}, any swindling operation in which advantage
is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
swindler.
{Confidence man}, a swindler.
{To take into one's confidence}, to admit to a knowledge of
one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.
Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.
2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are
but thyself. --Shak.
3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a
bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak.
4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
The fool rageth and is confident. --Prov. xiv.
16.
5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]
The cause was more confident than the event was
prosperious. --Jer. Taylor.