Diligence
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/
- Hyphenation: di + li + gence
Origin
French diligence
Full definition of diligence
Noun
diligence
(plural diligences)- conscientiousness or determination or perseverance when doing something
- A public stage-coach. (19th century, now used only in reference to France or other European countries including Great Britain.)
- 1818, , , Volume 1, Chapter V:Continuing thus, I came at length opposite to the inn at which the various diligences and carriages usually stopped.
- 1879, W:Robert Louis Stevenson, :s:Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, Being in a civilised country of stage-coaches, I determined to sell my lady friend and be off by the diligence that afternoon.
- (religion) One of the seven heavenly virtues, opposite the vice of sloth.
- (legal, Scotland) The process by which persons, lands, or effects are seized for debt; process for enforcing the attendance of witnesses or the production of writings.