Assiduous
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /əˈsɪd.jʊ.əs/
Origin
From Latin assiduus, from assidere ("to sit down to"), from ad- ("to") + sedere ("to sit").
Online Etymology Dictionary
Cognate (via assidere) to assess.
Full definition of assiduous
Adjective
assiduous
- Hard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.
- 1831, Sir Walter Scott, The Surgeon's Daughter, ch. 2:He was officious in the right time and place, quiet as a lamb when his patron seemed inclined to study or to muse, active and assiduous to assist or divert him whenever it seemed to be wished.
- 1880, Henry James, Washington Square, ch. 33:He died after three weeks' illness, during which Mrs. Penniman, as well as his daughter, had been assiduous at his bedside.
- 1917, P. G. Wodehouse, "Bill the Bloodhound" in The Man With Two Left Feet and Other Stories:A good deal of assiduous attention had enabled Henry to win this place in her affections.
- 2009, Will Pavia , "Allen Klein, accountant turned manager of the Beatles, dies at 77," The Times (UK), 6 July:Klein rose to prominence in the 1960s by assiduous application of accounting methods to the music industry.
Usage notes
Since the 18th century, this term has sometimes carried a connotation of servility.