mid-14c., from Old French diligence "attention, care; haste, speed," from Latin diligentia "attentiveness, carefulness," from diligentem (nominative diligens) "attentive, assiduous, careful," originally present participle of diligere "single out, value highly, esteem, prize, love; aspire to, be content with, appreciate," originally "to pick out, select," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + legere "choose, gather" (see lecture (n.)).
Sense evolved from "love" through "attentiveness" to "carefulness" to "steady effort." From the secondary French sense comes the old useage of diligence for "public stage coach" (1742; dilly for short), from a French shortening of carrosse de diligence.
雙語例句
1. The police are pursuing their inquiries with great diligence.
警方正不知疲倦地進行調(diào)查。
來自柯林斯例句
2. He exhorted his companions, "Try to accomplish your aim with diligence".
他勸誡同伴說：“要通過勤奮努力實現(xiàn)自己的目標。”
來自柯林斯例句
3. She shows great diligence in her schoolwork.
她上學非常用功。
來自《權威詞典》
4. Diligence and thrift made him a possessor of warm fortunes.
勤儉使他成為富翁.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. If your talent combines with diligence, you can excel in your pursuit.