Hypertext Webster Gateway: "diffident"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Diffident \Dif"fi*dent\, a. [L. diffidens, -entis, p. pr. of
diffidere; dif- = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith.
See {Faith}, and cf. {Defy}.]
1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic]
You were always extremely diffident of their
success. --Melmoth.
2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own
powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful;
characterized by modest reserve.
The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in
prayer. --Longfellow.
Syn: Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest;
bashful; lowly; reserved.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
diffident
adj 1: showing modest reserve; "she was diffident when offering a
comment on the professor's lecture"
2: lacking self-confidence; "stood in the doorway diffident and
abashed"; "problems that call for bold not timid
responses"; "a very unsure young man" [syn: {shy}, {timid},
{unsure}]
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