diligence

1
[ dil-i-juh ns ]
/ ˈdɪl ɪ dʒəns /

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.

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

Definition for diligence (2 of 2)

diligence 2
[ 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

Example sentences from the Web for diligence

British Dictionary definitions for diligence (1 of 2)

diligence 1
/ (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 2
/ (ˈdɪlɪdʒəns, French diliʒɑ̃s) /

noun

history a stagecoach

Word Origin for diligence

C18: from French, shortened from carosse de diligence, literally: coach of speed