confidant, confident — Confusion between these two similar words results in an impropriety. Confidant (kon fuh DANT) refers to one to whom secrets or other private matters are entrusted. A female confidant is a confidante (kon fuh DANT). Confident, an adjective meaning … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
confidant — See confidant, confident … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
confident — See confidant, confident … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
Confidant — Con fi*dant ; 277), n. masc., Confidante Con fi*dante (?; 277), n. fem.[F. confident, confidente, formerly also spelt confidant, confidante. See {Confide}, and cf. {Confident}.] One to whom secrets, especially those relating to affairs of love,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
confidant — 1610s, confident, (male) person trusted with private affairs, from Fr. confident (16c.), from It. confidente a trusty friend, lit. confident, trusty, from L. confidentem (nom. confidens), prp. of confidere to trust, confide (see CONFIDENCE (Cf.… … Etymology dictionary
confident — [kän′fə dənt] adj. 1. full of confidence; specif., a) assured; certain [confident of victory] b) sure of oneself; self confident; bold [a confident manner] 2. Obs. trustful; confiding n. CONFIDANT SYN. SURE … English World dictionary
confidant — confidant, confidante stressed on the first syllable or (in the case of confidante) on the first or last syllable, mean ‘a close friend in whom one confides’, and refer respectively to a male or female and a female. They are alterations of an… … Modern English usage
confidant — [kän′fə dant΄, kän′fədänt΄; kän΄fə dant′, kän΄fədänt′] n. [Fr confident (fem. confidente) < L confidens, prp. of confidere,CONFIDE] a close, trusted friend, to whom one confides intimate matters or secrets … English World dictionary
Confident — Con fi*dent, n. See {Confidant}. South. Dryden. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Confidant — Not to be confused with confident. For the 2000 folk song, see Confidant (song). The confidant (pronounced /ˈkɒnfɪdænt/ or /ˌkɒnfɪˈdɑːnt/; feminine: confidante, same pronunciation) is a character in a story that the lead character… … Wikipedia
