Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON'FI-DENCE, n. [L. confidentia; It. confidenza; Sp. confianza; Fr. confiance; confidence. See Confide.]

1. A trusting, or reliance; an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another, or in the truth and reality of a fact. Mutual confidence is the basis of social happiness. I place confidence in a statement, or in an official report. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. – Ps. cxviii. I rejoice that I have confidence in you in all things. – 2 Cor. vii.
2. Trust; reliance; applied to one's own abilities, or fortune; belief in one's own competency. His times being rather prosperous than calm, had raised his confidence by success. – Bacon.
3. That in which trust is placed; ground of trust; he or that which supports. Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence. – Jer. xlviii. Jehovah shall be thy confidence. – Prov. iii.
4. Safety, or assurance of safety; security. They shall build houses and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence. – Ezek. xxviii.
5. Boldness; courage. Preaching the kingdom of God with all confidence. – Acts xxviii.
6. Excessive boldness; assurance, proceeding from vanity or a false opinion of one's own abilities, or excellencies. Their confidence ariseth from too much credit given to their own wits. – Hooker.