confidence |ˈkänfədəns; -fəˌdens|

noun

the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust : we had every confidence in the staff | he had gained the young man's confidence.

• the state of feeling certain about the truth of something : it is not possible to say with confidence how much of the increase in sea levels is due to melting glaciers.• a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities : she's brimming with confidence | [in sing. ] he would walk up those steps with a confidence he didn't feel.• the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust : someone with whom you may raise your suspicions in confidence.• (often confidences) a secret or private matter told to someone under such a condition of trust : the girls exchanged confidences about their parents.

PHRASES

in someone's confidence in a position of trust with someone.take someone into one's confidence tell someone one's secrets.ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust’ (see confident )