Phil in SF quoted Arkfall by Carolyn Ives Gilman
Humans live deep within an apparently lifeless planet covered by massive ice sheets. Having to …
A line of porters stood by with electric carts in the hallway, so Osagi approached one, trying to conceal her diffidence.
— Arkfall by Carolyn Ives Gilman (7%)
new vocabulary: diffidence
modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence
I've read this word for literally decades and have always thought it meant ambivalence or indifference. tbh, the ability to get a definition at a long-hold in my Kobo is going .o really improve my vocabulary
