All 5 Uses

diffident
in
The Grass is Singing
(Auto-generated)

At first they were diffident, though proud and withdrawn; cautiously learning the new ways, with a fine sensitiveness, an alert self-consciousness.†
p. 11.7

diffident = hesitant and unassertive
To hide it, he began talking about the house, with diffidence because of his poverty, never taking his eyes off her face.†
p. 55.4 *

diffidence = hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence
"Buy yourself some material and make a dress or two," said Dick diffidently, for he had realized, handling her things, that she had, almost literally, "nothing to wear."†
p. 211.8

diffidently = with hesitancy and unassertiveness
She felt his hand touch her cheek diffidently.†
p. 219.5
But that diffident, apologetic touch annoyed her, and she jerked her head back.†
p. 219.5

diffident = hesitant and unassertive

Definitions:

(1) (diffident)
hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)