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Entry 8 senses Webster, 1913

Confidence

/kŏn'fĭdəns/ · Con·fi·dence · IPA /ˈkɑn.fɪ.dəns/
01 n. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.
  1. 1.
    The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.
    “Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity.” — South.
    “A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.” — Macaulay.
  2. 2.
    That in which faith is put or reliance had.
    “The Lord shall be thy confidence.” — Prov. iii. 26.
  3. 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.
    “Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day.” — Shak.
    “But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.” — Milton.
  4. 4.
    Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them.
    “Sir, I desire some confidence with you.” — Shak.
    “I am confident that very much be done.” — Boyle.
  5. 5.
    Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
    “Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself.” — Shak.
  6. 6.
    Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
    “As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.” — Shak.
  7. 7.
    Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
    “The fool rageth and is confident.” — Prov. xiv. 16.
  8. 8.
    Giving occasion for confidence.[R.]
    “The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous.” — Jer. Taylor.
Phrases & compounds
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.