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  diffidence diffract  
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   The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
 
diffident
 
SYLLABICATION:dif·fi·dent
PRONUNCIATION:  df-dnt, -dnt
ADJECTIVE:1. Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid. See synonyms at shy1. 2. Reserved in manner.
ETYMOLOGY:Middle English, from Latin diffdns, diffdent-, present participle of diffdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fdere, to trust; see bheidh- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:diffi·dent·ly —ADVERB
 
 
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · INDEX · ILLUSTRATIONS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  diffidence diffract  
 
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