Confidence man

Confidence Con"fi*dence, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in, self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.] 1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in. [1913 Webster]

Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity. --South. [1913 Webster]

A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2. That in which faith is put or reliance had. [1913 Webster]

The Lord shall be thy confidence. --Prov. iii. 26. [1913 Webster]

3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed. [1913 Webster]

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them. [1913 Webster]

Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Confidence game}, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler; several swindlers often work together to create the illusion of truth; -- also called {con game}.

{Confidence man}, a swindler.

{To take into one's confidence}, to admit to a knowledge of one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.

Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope. [1913 Webster]

I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]

2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved. [1913 Webster]

Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted. [1913 Webster]

As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous. [1913 Webster]

The fool rageth and is confident. --Prov. xiv. 16. [1913 Webster]

5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.] [1913 Webster]

The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]