noun

diligence

DIL-ih-juns/ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/

Careful and persistent effort in a task.

The woman's diligence shows in the quilt's even seams and precise final stitches.

An older woman carefully hand-stitches the final section of a large quilt: many evenly finished seams show sustained effort, while her close inspection and precise current stitch show care.

Etymology

diLatinapart

+ligLatinto choose, gather

+enceLatinstate or quality

Choosing something apart meant singling it out and valuing it highly. That sense of valuing or loving developed through attentiveness and carefulness into the steady effort expressed by diligence.

In context

Town of Amherst, MA49:04

doing um more site due diligence in terms of getting out there and collecting data and trying to get um a more comprehensive delineation

Conservation Commission Meeting Oct 25, 2023

More examples

He checks every measurement with diligence before cutting the wood.
The teacher praises Maya's diligence in revising her essay.
Buyers should do their due diligence before purchasing a business.

Forms

diligent adjective — Showing careful and persistent effort.

diligently adverb — With careful attention and persistent effort.

Similar words

care: Emphasizes attention to avoiding mistakes rather than sustained effort.
thoroughness: Emphasizes covering every detail rather than maintaining steady effort.
perseverance: Emphasizes continuing despite difficulty rather than working carefully.