3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstamces; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; — often with self prefixed. Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day. Shak. But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial. Milton.
4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them. Sir, I desire some confidence with you. Shak. Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler. — Confidence man, a swindler. — To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.
Syn.
— Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
I am confident that very much be done. Boyle.
2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved. Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself. Shak.
3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted. As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. Shak.
4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous. The fool rageth and is confident. Prov. xiv. 16.
5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.] The cause was more confident than the event was prosperious. Jer. Taylor.
CONFIDENT
Con"fi*dent, n.
Defn: See Confidant. South. Dryden.
CONFIDENTIAL
Con`fi*den"tial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. confidentiel.]