Main Entry:

dil·i·gent

Pronunciation:

\ˈdi-lə-jənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligent-, diligens, from present participle of diligere to esteem, love, from di- (from dis- apart) + legere to select — more at legend

Date:

14th century

: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking <a diligent worker>

synonyms see busy

— dil·i·gent·ly adverb