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diligence
1[ dil-i-juhns ]
/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns /
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noun
constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
Law. the degree of care and caution required by the circumstances of a person.
Obsolete. care; caution.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Words nearby diligence
dilemma, dilettante, dilettantism, DILF, Dili, diligence, diligent, diligently, dill, Dillard, Dillinger
Other definitions for diligence (2 of 2)
diligence2
[ dil-i-juhns; French dee-lee-zhahns ]
/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns; French di liˈʒɑ̃s /
noun, plural dil·i·gen·ces [dil-i-juhn-siz; French dee-lee-zhahns]. /ˈdɪl ɪ dʒən sɪz; French di liˈʒɑ̃s/.
a public stagecoach, especially as formerly used in France.
Origin of diligence
21735–45; short for French carosse de diligence speed coach
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use diligence in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for diligence (1 of 2)
diligence1
/ (ˈdɪlɪdʒəns) /
noun
steady and careful application
proper attention or care
law the degree of care required in a given situation
Word Origin for diligence
C14: from Latin dīligentia care, attentiveness
British Dictionary definitions for diligence (2 of 2)
diligence2
/ (ˈdɪlɪdʒəns, French diliʒɑ̃s) /
noun
history a stagecoach
Word Origin for diligence
C18: from French, shortened from carosse de diligence, literally: coach of speed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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