Confidence \Con"fi*dence\, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in, self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]

1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.

Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity. --South.

A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. --Macaulay.

2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

The Lord shall be thy confidence. --Prov. iii. 26.

3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)