All 5 Uses of
diffident
in
Jane Eyre
- I asked, with awkward diffidence.†
p. 12.1 *diffidence = hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence
- Your garb and manner were restricted by rule; your air was often diffident, and altogether that of one refined by nature, but absolutely unused to society, and a good deal afraid of making herself disadvantageously conspicuous by some solecism or blunder; yet when addressed, you lifted a keen, a daring, and a glowing eye to your interlocutor's face: there was penetration and power in each glance you gave; when plied by close questions, you found ready and round answers.†
p. 361.5diffident = hesitant and unassertive
- There was an unceremonious directness, a searching, decided steadfastness in his gaze now, which told that intention, and not diffidence, had hitherto kept it averted from the stranger.†
p. 396.9diffidence = hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence
- "Mr. Rivers," I said, turning to him, and looking at him, as he looked at me, openly and without diffidence, "you and your sisters have done me a great service — the greatest man can do his fellow-being; you have rescued me, by your noble hospitality, from death.†
p. 398.7
- "What affectation of diffidence was this at first?" they might have demanded; "what stupid regardlessness now?"†
p. 489.2
Definition:
hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence