self-diffidentadj.

1674 S. Blackerby Serm. preached Several Occasions i. 25 When your work is little, yet be self-diffident: It is not for a Christian to say, my work is but small, and therefore I may rely upon my self for ability to perform it.

1742 G. Whitefield Let. 6 Aug. in Wks. (1771) I. 414 If it makes you more like a little child, and your friends and acquaintance more watchful and self-diffident, it will be very well.

1776 J. Wesley Serm. Romans viii. 29, 30 4 This very consideration..would make all who now speak upon the subject, exceedingly wary and self-diffident.

1829 National Preacher (N.Y.) Apr. 161 While the proud and ignorant grasp at preferment, and deem themselves competent to the highest undertakings, real worth is self-diffident.

1894 Bloomington (Illinois) Leader 21 Apr. The strongest man becomes self diffident and is ashamed to remember his strength in the presence of a woman whom he admires.

1916 Asiatic Rev. 1 Apr. 353 Dostoievsky remained as impatient, as rancorous, as hysterical, as self-diffident a mortal as before his exile.

2015 Sun (Nigeria) (Nexis) 9 Sept. These pro­vincial racialists despite their arrogance, are traditionally a self-diffident crowd, at least at larger or non-provincial forums.