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 upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity. South. [ 1913 Webster ] A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That in which faith is put or reliance had. [ 1913 Webster ] The Lord shall be thy confidence. Prov. iii. 26. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Your wisdom is consumed in confidence;
Do not go forth to-day. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] But confidence then bore thee on secure
Either to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them. [ 1913 Webster ] Sir, I desire some confidence with you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler; several swindlers often work together to create the illusion of truth; -- also called con game. --
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. [ 1913 Webster ] I am confident that very much be done. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved. [ 1913 Webster ] Be confident to speak, Northumberland;
We three are but thyself. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted. [ 1913 Webster ] As confident as is the falcon's flight
Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous. [ 1913 Webster ] The fool rageth and is confident. Prov. xiv. 16. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Giving occasion for confidence. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
