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

It requires real due diligence: understanding the investment strategy; the structure of the vehicle; the exit mechanics; the valuation policies; and the total cost of ownership.

From MarketWatch

She said the board is open to further engagement, including providing some due diligence information, if Steel Dynamics and SGH address several issues “including, importantly, increasing the value of your proposal for all BlueScope shareholders.”

From The Wall Street Journal

If the court approves the sale, it would take several months to complete due diligence and secure city construction approvals, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

You get a sense of the weight of leadership carried by Zelensky from the diligence of his security guards.

From BBC

“Decisions that affect students and families must be grounded in evidence and due diligence,” the assistant superintendent wrote on Facebook.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alertness
• earnestness
• intensity
• quickness
• vigor