diligence 1
/dil"i jeuhns/ , n.
1. constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
2. Law. the degree of care and caution required by the circumstances of a person.
3. Obs. care; caution.
[ 1300-50; ME deligence ( diligentia, equiv. to diligent- (s. of diligens ) DILIGENT + -ia; see -ENCE ]
diligence 2
/dil"i jeuhns/ ; Fr. /dee lee zhahonns"/ , n. , pl. diligences /-jeuhn siz/ ; Fr. /-zhahonns"/ .
a public stagecoach, esp. as formerly used in France.
[ 1735-45; short for F carosse de diligence speed coach ]