diligence

1
[ dil-i-juh ns ]
/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns /
SEE 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.

QUIZZES

HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
a granular metamorphic rock.
a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of diligence

1
1300–50; Middle English deligence (< Anglo-French) < Latin dīligentia, equivalent to dīligent- (stem of dīligēns) diligent + -ia; see -ence

Words nearby diligence

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

Definition for diligence (2 of 2)

diligence2
[ 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

2
1735–45; short for French carosse de diligence speed coach
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to diligence

vigor, quickness, intensity, earnestness, alertness, exertion, constancy, attentiveness, assiduity, keenness, pertinacity, industry, attention, carefulness, application, intent, heed, activity, assiduousness, care

Example sentences from the Web for diligence

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