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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To take into one's confidence

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.

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

    A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
    --Macaulay.

  2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

    The Lord shall be thy confidence.
    --Prov. iii. 26.

  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.

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

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

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

    Sir, I desire some confidence with you.
    --Shak.

    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.

    I am confident that very much be done.
    --Boyle.

    2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.

    Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are but thyself.
    --Shak.

    3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.

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

    4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault; dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.

    The fool rageth and is confident.
    --Prov. xiv. 16.

  5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]

    The cause was more confident than the event was prosperous.
    --Jer. Taylor.