assiduous

English

Etymology

From Latin assiduus from assidere (to sit down to), from ad- (to) + sedere (to sit).[1]

Cognate (via assidere) to assess.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /əˈsɪd.jʊ.əs/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /əˈsɪdʒuəs/
  • (file)

Adjective

assiduous (comparative more assiduous, superlative most assiduous)

  1. Hard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.
    Synonyms: meticulous, diligent, sedulous; see also Thesaurus:industrious
    • 1831, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 2, in The Surgeon's Daughter:
      He was officious in the right time and place, quiet as a lamb when his patron seemed inclined to study or to muse, active and assiduous to assist or divert him whenever it seemed to be wished.
    • 1880, Henry James, chapter 33, in Washington Square:
      He died after three weeks' illness, during which Mrs. Penniman, as well as his daughter, had been assiduous at his bedside.
    • 1917, P. G. Wodehouse, "Bill the Bloodhound" in The Man With Two Left Feet and Other Stories:
      A good deal of assiduous attention had enabled Henry to win this place in her affections.
    • 2009, Will Pavia, "Allen Klein, accountant turned manager of the Beatles, dies at 77," The Times (UK), 6 July:
      Klein rose to prominence in the 1960s by assiduous application of accounting methods to the music industry.

Usage notes

  • Since the 18th century, this term has sometimes carried a connotation of servility.[1]

Derived terms

Translations

References

  1. assiduous” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2019.
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