diligence

¹ American  

[dil-i-juhns] / ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns /

noun

1. constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.

2. Law. the degree of care and caution required by the circumstances of a person.

3. Obsolete. care; caution.

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diligence ² American  

[dil-i-juhns, dee-lee-zhahns] / ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns, di liˈʒɑ̃s /

noun

plural

diligences

1. a public stagecoach, especially as formerly used in France.

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diligence ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪlɪdʒəns /

noun

1. steady and careful application

2. proper attention or care

3. law the degree of care required in a given situation

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diligence ² British  

/ diliʒɑ̃s, ˈdɪlɪdʒəns /

noun

1. history a stagecoach

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Etymology

Origin of diligence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English deligence, from Anglo-French, from Latin dīligentia, equivalent to dīligent- (stem of dīligēns ) diligent ( def. ) + -ia; -ence ( def. )

Origin of diligence²

First recorded in 1735–45; short for French carosse de diligence “speed coach”

Example Sentences

The former faithful said the condition runs in her family - but without the "due diligence" of the show she would never have known the extent of it.

From BBC

Creditors ease underwriting standards and perform less diligence.

From The Wall Street Journal

The bidders are currently conducting due diligence on the business.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the case was of "profound concern" and demonstrates an "astonishing lack of due diligence by the authorities".

From BBC

“By doing their due diligence and building those relationships,” Darrick Norton, Crockett’s head coach, said, “they found a pretty darn good athlete.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alertness
• earnestness
• intensity
• quickness
• vigor