Definitions for: Confidence


[n] freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with authority"
[n] a secret that is confided or entrusted to another; "everyone trusted him with their confidences"; "the priest could not reveal her confidences"
[n] a feeling of trust (in someone or something); "I have confidence in our team"; "confidence is always borrowed, never owned"
[n] a trustful relationship; "he took me into his confidence"; "he betrayed their trust"
[n] a state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable; "public confidence in the economy"



Webster (1913) Definition: Con"fi*dence, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in,
self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]
1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in;
trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now
commonly by in.

Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
confidence of one another's integrity. --South.

A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
--Macaulay.

2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

The Lord shall be thy confidence. --Prov. iii.
26.

3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on
himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of
self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of
security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go
forth to-day. --Shak.

But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to
meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
--Milton.

4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
confidences between them.

Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.

Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage
is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
swindler.

Confidence man, a swindler.

To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of
one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.

Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.

I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.

2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.

Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are
but thyself. --Shak.

3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.

As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a
bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak.

4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.

The fool rageth and is confident. --Prov. xiv.
16.

5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]

The cause was more confident than the event was
prosperious. --Jer. Taylor.

Synonyms: assurance, authority, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness, trust

Antonyms: diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt

See Also: certainty, friendly relationship, friendship, hopefulness, secret, security

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