DictionaryRoot: -entia
Latin

-entia

a state or quality

Forms

  • -entia
  • -ence — The ending shortened through French.
  • -ency — An English form used in some nouns.

Origin

Formed in Latin from -ent-, describing someone or something doing an action, plus a noun ending.

Note

A temporary activity can become the name of a lasting quality.

15 / 68
A poised young woman confidently addresses a small audience, standing upright with relaxed shoulders, direct eye contact, a slight assured smile, and an open explanatory gesture rather than hiding behind her notes.
noun

confidence

KAHN-fih-duns/ˈkɑːnfɪdəns/

Trust in the reliability of someone or something.

Etymology

The trust root, with con- perhaps adding emphasis, first referred to assurance in another person’s good faith. That reliance turned inward to mean trust in one’s own powers, resources, or prospects.

Full entry

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