Vocabularium

Do you think this accurately describes me?

diffident (dif·fi·dent): / DIF i duhnt /
adjective

(1) markedly shy or timid; lacking self-confidence
(2) reserved; unassertive; restrained (as in manner or conduct)
(3) distrustful (archaic; original English meaning)

[From Latin diffident- (singular of diffidens) meaning “mistrusting,” the present participle stem of Latin diffidere meaning “to distrust,” from Latin fidere meaning “to trust.”]

Usage: The new student was diffident and sat quietly at the back of the room as if too frightened to interact with the rest of the class.

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