confidentialadj.
/kɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəl/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > confidence > [adjective]
sickera1340
confident1576
confidential1651
unhesitating1753
the mind > emotion > courage > confidence > self-confidence > [adjective]
assured1477
confident1576
self-confidenta1617
empowered1646
self-confiding1647
confidential1651
self-asserting1821
sassy1859
1651 Animadversions in C. Love Case 38 With such confidential raptures and gloryings as these.
1680 H. Savile Let. 24 Apr. in Corr. (1858) 151 That it can be of no use I dare confidentially affirm.
2. Of the nature of confidence; spoken or written in confidence; characterized by the communication of secrets or private matters.Not in Johnson (1755–73). confidential communication: a communication made between parties who stand in a confidential relation to each other, and therefore privileged in law. confidential relation: the relation existing between a lawyer and his client, between guardian and ward.
ΚΠ
a1773 Ld. Chesterfield (T.) I am desirous to begin a confidential correspondence with you.
1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iii, in Wks. (1815) VIII. 279 Not being admitted to the closest and most confidential connexions with the metropolis of that fraternity.
1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iii, in Wks. (1815) VIII. 333 We made two confidential communications to [them].
1883 Manch. Guard. 12 Oct. 5/6 The report..was to be made..without any confidential mention of the names of persons.
3. Betokening private intimacy, or the confiding of private secrets.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] > intimate or familiar > privately intimate
privy?c1225
secret1470
private1574
confidential1759
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adjective] > conducted in private > of conversation, etc.
particular1442
secret?a1513
secre?1553
private1560
confidential1759
1759 W. Pitt Let. 26 Jan. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. IV. 408 The growing harmony and confidential friendship which daily manifest themselves between their Majesties.
1795 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 308 Talking the confidential language of friendship in the public theatre.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby vi. vii. 283 With low and confidential tone.
1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 29 Nino became very confidential.
4. Enjoying the confidence of another person; entrusted with secrets; charged with secret service.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adjective] > entrusted with secrets
derna1400
confident1608
confidential1805
society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > political police > [adjective] > charged with secret service
confidential1856
1805 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. 79 The very great good derived to His Majesty's service from Captains being allowed confidential Officers as their First Lieutenants.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 133 Confidential persons were despatched into Italy to obtain an interview..with the pope.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1651