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 was a charming space, damp and colorful and thriving due to Clare’s diligence.

From Literature

But even with the flexibility described, the fiduciary process still requires diligence to protect plan participants and beneficiaries.

From The Wall Street Journal

He has been known to sleep at the offices of his companies and engage in “rage firings” and waived due diligence before inking his deal to buy Twitter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Clients have said they would need to conduct extensive due diligence over the course of months to determine whether they would consider allowing the sale.

From The Wall Street Journal

Given his reputation for rigorous due diligence and concentrated positioning, that level of exposure reinforces the growing case that financials may be poised to lead should market conditions begin to improve.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alertness
• earnestness
• intensity
• quickness
• vigor