confidence

confidence
I. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances <
had perfect confidence in her ability to succeed
>
<
met the risk with brash confidence
>
b. faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way <
have confidence in a leader
>
2. the quality or state of being certain ; certitude <
they had every confidence of success
>
3. a. a relation of trust or intimacy <
took his friend into his confidence
>
b. reliance on another's discretion <
their story was told in strictest confidence
>
c. support especially in a legislative body <
vote of confidence
>
4. a communication made in confidence ; secret <
accused him of betraying a confidence
>
Synonyms: confidence, assurance, self-possession, aplomb mean a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance <
the confidence that comes from long experience
>
. assurance carries a stronger implication of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity in assessing one's own powers <
handled the cross-examination with complete assurance
>
. self-possession implies an ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control and command of one's powers <
answered the insolent question with complete self-possession
>
. aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations <
handled the reporters with great aplomb
>
. II. adjective Date: 1849 of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises <
a confidence game
>
<
a confidence man
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • confidence — [ kɔ̃fidɑ̃s ] n. f. • v. 1370; lat. confidentia → confier 1 ♦ (1647) Communication d un secret qui concerne soi même. ⇒ confession. Faire une confidence à qqn. Recevoir des confidences. « La confidence n est parfois qu un succédané laïque de la… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • confidence — con‧fi‧dence [ˈkɒnfdns ǁ ˈkɑːn ] noun [uncountable] 1. the feeling that you can trust someone or something to do what they say, work properly etc: • We have every confidence in the team. • Our top priority is to maintain customer confidence in… …   Financial and business terms

  • Confidence — 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. [1913 Webster] Society is built… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • confidence — 1 *trust, reliance, dependence, faith Analogous words: certitude, assurance, conviction, *certainty: credence, credit, *belief, faith Antonyms: doubt: apprehension Contrasted words: *distrust, mistrust: despair, hopelessness (see under …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • confidence — Confidence. s. f. Participation aux secrets d autruy. Il est dans la confidence d un tel. il a la confidence d un tel. entrer dans la confidence de quelqu un. parler en confidence. traiter en confidence. On dit, Faire confidence de quelque chose… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • confidence — CONFIDENCE. s. f. La part qu on donne ou qu on reçoit d un secret. Faire confidence de quelque chose à quelqu un. Il m a fait confidence de son dessein. Être bien avant dans la confidence, entrer dans la confidence de quelqu un. Parler en… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • confidence — I (faith) noun affiance, aplomb, assurance, boldness, certainty, certitude, cocksureness, confidentness, conviction, courage, credence, credulity, fearlessness, fides, fiducia, firm belief, heart, intrepidity, morale, nerve, optimism, poise,… …   Law dictionary

  • confidence — [kän′fə dəns] n. [ME < L confidentia < confidens, prp. of CONFIDE] 1. firm belief; trust; reliance 2. the fact of being or feeling certain; assurance 3. belief in one s own abilities; self confidence 4. a relationship as confidant [take me… …   English World dictionary

  • confidence — ► NOUN 1) the belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something. 2) self assurance arising from an appreciation of one s abilities. 3) the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust. 4) a secret or private matter told …   English terms dictionary

  • Confidence — Álbum de Downface Publicación 1997 Género(s) Rock experimental Post grunge Duración 41:19 Cronología de …   Wikipedia Español

  • confidence — early 15c., from M.Fr. confidence or directly from L. confidentia, from confidentem (nom. confidens) firmly trusting, bold, prp. of confidere to have full trust or reliance, from com , intensive prefix (see COM (Cf. com )), + fidere to trust (see …   Etymology dictionary

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