If you practice diligence , you are a hard and careful worker. Do you have the diligence to read all the collected works of Henry James? Of course not. Nobody has, but a couple of his early novels won't hurt. Learn the meaning of diligence as a noun in British and American English, with synonyms, pronunciation, and usage examples. Also find out the obsolete meaning of diligence as a stagecoach and the related term due diligence . Diligence —carefulness and persistent effort or work—is listed as one of the seven capital virtues. It can be indicative of a work ethic, the belief that work is good in itself. The noun ' diligence ' traces its origins to the Latin word 'diligentia,' which is derived from 'diligere,' meaning 'to love' or 'to value highly.' In its etymology, ' diligence ' reflects the idea of valuing a task or endeavor highly enough to invest persistent effort, hard work, and meticulous attention to detail. The term has evolved over time to describe the quality of steadfast dedication and thoroughness in one's actions. The etymology of ' diligence ' beautifully captures the essence of ...
