diffident

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   lacking self-confidence

   Stood in the doorway diffident and abashed.

2. 2
   adj

   showing modest reserve

   I was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture.

3. 3
   adj

   Lacking self-confidence; timid; modest

   Having therefore—but hold, as we are diffident of our own abilities, let us here invite a superior power to our assistance.

From Latin diffīdentem, present participle of diffīdere (“to mistrust”). Doublet of defiant.

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