Noun
The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others.
Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.
Source: Webster's dictionaryGive me a mystery - just a plain and simple one - a mystery which is diffidence and silence, a slim little bare-foot mystery: give me a mystery - just one! Yevgeny Yevtushenko
Where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world. Jane Austen
I went from resenting my mother-in-law to accepting her, finally to appreciating her. What appeared to be her diffidence when I was first married, I now value as serenity. Ayelet Waldman
Discretion has been termed the better part of valour, and it is more certain, that diffidence is the better part of knowledge. Charles Caleb Colton
The true confidence which is faith in Christ, and the true diffidence which is utter distrust of myself--are identical. Alexander Maclaren
Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short. Golda Meir