Definition of "diffidence" in Englisch

noun

1. The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.

   • "I was passing by," he began to stammer, trembling with his diffidence, "I—happened to be passing along this way, and so—er—as I was passing this way, I says to myself, says I, 'I'll just stop into the shop a minute.'

2. (obsolete) Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something.

   • I have no diffidence of your abilities—only be constant to one roguery at a time