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 ]