confidence man
    n 1: a swindler who exploits the confidence of his victim [syn:
         confidence man, con man, con artist]

Confidence \Con"fi*dence\, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in,
   self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]
   1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in;
      trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now
      commonly by in.
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            Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
            confidence of one another's integrity. --South.
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            A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.
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            The Lord shall be thy confidence.     --Prov. iii.
                                                  26.
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   3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on
      himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of
      self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of
      security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.
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            Your wisdom is consumed in confidence;
            Do not go forth to-day.               --Shak.
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            But confidence then bore thee on secure
            Either to meet no danger, or to find
            Matter of glorious trial.             --Milton.
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   4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
      confidences between them.
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            Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.
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   Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage
      is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
      swindler; several swindlers often work together to create
      the illusion of truth; -- also called con game.

   Confidence man, a swindler.

   To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of
      one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.

   Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
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              I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.
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   2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
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            Be confident to speak, Northumberland;
            We three are but thyself.             --Shak.
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   3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
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            As confident as is the falcon's flight
            Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak.
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   4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
      dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
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            The fool rageth and is confident.     --Prov. xiv.
                                                  16.
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   5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]
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            The cause was more confident than the event was
            prosperous.                           --Jer. Taylor.
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