Diffidence vs Doubt - What's the difference?
diffidence | doubt | Synonyms |
The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
* 1857 , Brigham Young, Journal of Discources'', ''
* 1897 , '' (an excerpt from ''Sotileza )
(obsolete) Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something.
* 1591 , William Shakespeare, , act 3 scene 3
Uncertainty, disbelief.
*
(ambitransitive) To lack confidence in; to disbelieve, question, or suspect.
* Hooker
* Dryden
(archaic) To fear; to suspect.
* 1819 , Lord Byron, Don Juan , I.186:
(obsolete) To fear; to be apprehensive of.
* R. of Gloucester
* Shakespeare
* Spenser
(obsolete) To fill with fear; to affright.
*
* Beaumont and Fletcher
Diffidence is a synonym of doubt.
In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between diffidence and doubt
is that diffidence is (obsolete) mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something while doubt is (obsolete) to fill with fear; to affright.As nouns the difference between diffidence and doubt
is that diffidence is the state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement while doubt is uncertainty, disbelief.As a verb doubt is
(ambitransitive) to lack confidence in; to disbelieve, question, or suspect.diffidence
English
Noun
(-)- I have the same diffidence in my feelings that most public speakers have, and am apt to think that others can speak better and more edifying than I can.
- "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.'
- [Charles, King of France]: We have been guided by thee hitherto,
- And of thy cunning had no diffidence :
- One sudden foil shall never breed distrust.
doubt
English
Alternative forms
* (l) (obsolete)Noun
(wikipedia doubt)- It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts .
Verb
(en verb)- He doubted that was really what you meant.
- Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt
- To try your love and make you doubt of mine.
- He fled, like Joseph, leaving it; but there, / I doubt , all likeness ends between the pair.
- Edmond [was a] good man and doubted God.
- I doubt some foul play.
- I of doubted danger had no fear.
- The virtues of the valiant Caratach / More doubt me than all Britain.