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in service. That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. Shak.

Want of diligence. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Constant or close application or attention, particularly to some business or enterprise; diligence. I have, with much pains and assiduity, qualified myself for a nomenclator. Addison.

Performed with constant diligence or attention; unremitting; persistent; as, assiduous labor. To weary him with my assiduous cries. Milton.

speakers, being boldened with their present abilities to say more, . . . use less help of diligence and study. Ascham.

Care; anxiety; diligence. [Obs.] Chaucer. To do one's business, to ruin one. [Colloq.] Wycherley. -- To make (a thing) one's business, to occupy one's self with a thing as a special charge or duty. [Colloq.] -- To mean business, to be earnest. [Colloq.]

f being divinely called. Who hath . . . called us with an holy calling. 2 Tim. i. 9. Give diligence to make yior calling . . . sure. 2 Pet. i. 10.

vote. I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence. Woodward.

The front compartment of a French diligence; also, the front compartment (usually for three persons) of a car or carriage on British railways.

Diligence; care; persevering endeavor. [Obs.] Milton.

The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. Serious business, craving quick dispatch. Shak. To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space. Paley.

as, "This just reproach their virtue does excite." Dryden. To do one's best, To do one's diligence (and the like), to exert one's self; to put forth one's best or most or most diligent efforts. "We will . . . do our best to gain their assent." Jowett (Thucyd.). -- To do one's business, to ruin one. [Colloq.] Wycherle…

or quality; also, that which relates to the action or state; as in emergence, diffidence, diligence, influence, difference, excellence. See -ance.

Haste; diligence. [Obs.] Chaucer.

An outside seat on a diligence. T. Hughes.

show improvement; as, to improve in health. We take care to improve in our frugality and diligence. Atterbury.

Want of application, attention, or diligence; negligence; indolence.

e spent in indolence, and therefore sad. Cowper. As there is a great truth wrapped up in "diligence," what a lie, on the other hand, lurks at the root of our present use of the word "indolence"! This is from "in" and "doleo," not to grieve; and indolence is thus a state in which we have no grief or pain; so that the wo…

Given to industry; characterized by diligence; constantly, regularly, or habitually occupied; busy; assiduous; not slothful or idle; -- commonly implying devotion to lawful and useful labor. Frugal and industrious men are commonly friendly to the established government. Sir W. Temple.

Habitual diligence in any employment or pursuit, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business; assiduity; -- opposed to sloth and idleness; as, industry pays debts, while idleness or despair will increase them. We are more industrious than our forefathers, because in the present times the funds destined for th…