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 prosperous.
Jer. Taylor.
