diligence
pronunciation
How to pronounce diligence in British English:
UK [ˈdɪlɪdʒəns]
How to pronounce diligence in American English:
US [ˈdɪlɪdʒəns]
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- Noun:
- conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation
- persevering determination to perform a task
- a diligent effort
Word Origin
- diligence (n.)
- 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.
Example
- 1. Without diligence , the constitution is just a nice idea .
- 2. Would that mean too much due diligence ?
- 3. As costs soar , diligence is tumbling .
- 4. Devotion is diligence without assurance .
- 5. Genius is nothing but labor and diligence .