diligence

[ dil-i-juh ns ]

/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR diligence ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

dilemma, dilettante, dilettantism, dilf, dili, diligence, diligent, dill, dill pickle, dillard, dilli

Origin of diligence

1300–50; Middle English deligence (< Anglo-French) < Latin dīligentia, equivalent to dīligent- (stem of dīligēns) diligent + -ia; see -ence

Definition for diligence (2 of 2)

diligence

[ dil-i-juh ns; French dee-lee-zhahns ]

/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns; French di liˈʒɑ̃s /

noun, plural dil·i·gen·ces [dil-i-juh n-siz; French dee-lee-zhahns] /ˈdɪl ɪ dʒən sɪz; French di liˈʒɑ̃s/.

a public stagecoach, especially as formerly used in France.

Origin of diligence

1735–45; short for French carosse de diligence speed coach

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diligence

In doing this, the GOP would recruit moderators with “outstanding” reputations for “independence, diligence, and toughness.”
Rush Limbaugh as Debate Moderator? It’s the GOP’s Craziest Idea Yet.|Jamelle Bouie|August 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Adopting a foreign child requires persistence, diligence, patience, and a reliance on the slow-turning wheels of justice.
How Difficult Russian Adoptions Were, Even Before Vladimir Putin’s Crackdown|Lauren Ashburn|December 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Similarly, if you filed in February (and we hate you) your diligence speaks volumes about your overall responsible nature.
7 Tax Personality Types|Farnoosh Torabi|April 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
According to one report, their lawyer was disbarred two years after their case was lost for "lack of diligence" in other cases.
The Scott Sisters' Life Sentence for $11|Constantino Diaz-Duran|December 31, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Item, I give to my servant John Raby, for his diligence in my service and sickness twenty pounds.
William Harvey|D'Arcy Powers
In the Diligence near Utrecht my neighbour roused me by a sudden exclamation, "Oh la vue superbe!"
Before and after Waterloo|Edward Stanley
I am sure that your official superiors do not need to be convinced of your diligence!
Poor Folk|Fyodor Dostoyevsky
But then I ought to be diligent, and at least keep myself within the reach of materials for diligence.
Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends|John Keats
For otherwise the rest would drag, and drop their hands and idle, being quicker to take infection of dullness than of diligence.
Lorna Doone|R. D. Blackmore

British Dictionary definitions for diligence (1 of 2)

diligence

/ (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)

diligence

/ (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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diligence

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of diligence

Definition for diligence (2 of 2)

diligence

noun, plural dil·i·gen·ces [dil-i-juh n-siz; French dee-lee-zhahns] /ˈdɪl ɪ dʒən sɪz; French di liˈʒɑ̃s/.

Origin of diligence

Examples from the Web for diligence

British Dictionary definitions for diligence (1 of 2)

diligence

noun

Word Origin for diligence

British Dictionary definitions for diligence (2 of 2)

diligence

noun

Word Origin for diligence