diligence
/ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒəns/
noun
Origin
Latin
diligere — to value highly, to esteem, to love
Overview
Meaning Now
- Careful and persistent work or effort.
- Law: The attention and care legally expected or required of a person.
Literal older meaning
loving attentiveness
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
diligence
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word originally carried the sense of 'loving attention' or 'esteem' (from Latin 'diligere', to choose someone or something as an object of affection). Over time, the focus shifted from the emotional aspect of 'loving' to the practical aspect of 'persistent and careful application' required to show that esteem.
Evolution
- Latin
diligere
“to choose, to esteem, to love”
Formed from 'dis-' (apart) + 'legere' (to gather/read).
- Latin
diligentia
“attentiveness, care, industry”
Abstract noun derived from the verb.
- Old French
diligence
“zeal, care, haste”
- Middle English
diligence
“care, assiduity”
Connections
Word parts
dilig-
root
to love or esteem
-ence
suffix
forms a noun representing an action or state
Related across languages
French
diligence; formerly a stagecoach
Spanish
diligencia
diligence, errand, or stagecoach
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Related to diligence
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.