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