adj.
Pronunciation: -d ə nt, - ˌ dent
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin diffident-, diffidens, present participle of diffidere to distrust, from dis- + fidere to trust ― more at BIDE
Date: 15th century
1 : hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence
2 archaic : DISTRUSTFUL
3 : RESERVED , UNASSERTIVE
synonyms see SHY
– dif · fi · dent · ly adverb