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Antonyms for diligence

Grammar : Noun
Spell : dil-i-juh ns
Phonetic Transcription : ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns

Definition of diligence

Origin :
  • mid-14c., from Old French diligence "attention, care; haste, speed," from Latin diligentia "attentiveness, carefulness," from diligentem (nominative diligens) "attentive, assiduous, careful," originally present participle of diligere "single out, value highly, esteem, prize, love; aspire to, be content with, appreciate," originally "to pick out, select," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + legere "choose, gather" (see lecture (n.)).
  • Sense evolved from "love" through "attentiveness" to "carefulness" to "steady effort." From the secondary French sense comes the old useage of diligence for "public stage coach" (1742; dilly for short), from a French shortening of carrosse de diligence.
  • noun perseverance in carrying out action
Example sentences :
  • Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
  • Extract from : « An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism » by Joseph Stump
  • If we imitate Lydia in diligence, let us not forget to imitate her in piety.
  • Extract from : « Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II » by Francis Augustus Cox
  • But all this diligence and speed were not without an object.
  • Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • It was necessary to hasten, so that he might be sure of booking a place in the diligence.
  • Extract from : « Casanova's Homecoming » by Arthur Schnitzler
  • She was the only passenger in the diligence, and the door was locked.
  • Extract from : « Hetty's Strange History » by Anonymous
  • I then jumped down from the diligence and looked curiously around me.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • Suffice it to say, that for my own part, diligence hath not been wanting in the research.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • Yet with them grew my sense of need to redouble a lover's diligence.
  • Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable
  • His diligence was so continuous and so regular that it became habitual.
  • Extract from : « Self-Help » by Samuel Smiles
  • They sought for the slayer of their friend with diligence and zeal.
  • Extract from : « The Celtic Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, January 1876 » by Various

Synonyms for diligence

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019