ASSIDUOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does assiduous mean? 

• ASSIDUOUS (adjective)
  The adjective ASSIDUOUS has 1 sense:

1. marked by care and persistent effort

  Familiarity information: ASSIDUOUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ASSIDUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by care and persistent effort

Synonyms:

assiduous; sedulous

Context example:

sedulous pursuit of legal and moral principles

Similar:

diligent (characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks)

Derivation:

assiduity; assiduousness (great and constant diligence and attention)

 Context examples 

She hastened to ring the bell; and when the tray came, she proceeded to arrange the cups, spoons, &c., with assiduous celerity.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

For two days after this Brunton was most assiduous in his attention to his duties.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had been in Bath about a fortnight; (he had passed through Bath in November, in his way to London, when the intelligence of Sir Walter's being settled there had of course reached him, though only twenty-four hours in the place, but he had not been able to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving, had been to leave his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct, such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be received as a relation again, that their former good understanding was completely re-established.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

The selfish sagacity of the latter, which had at first drawn Robert into the scrape, was the principal instrument of his deliverance from it; for her respectful humility, assiduous attentions, and endless flatteries, as soon as the smallest opening was given for their exercise, reconciled Mrs. Ferrars to his choice, and re-established him completely in her favour.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The effect of the whole was a manner so pitying and agitated, and words intermingled with her refusal so expressive of obligation and concern, that to a temper of vanity and hope like Crawford's, the truth, or at least the strength of her indifference, might well be questionable; and he was not so irrational as Fanny considered him, in the professions of persevering, assiduous, and not desponding attachment which closed the interview.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He scarcely ever spoke to her, and the assiduous attentions which he had been so sensible of himself were transferred for the rest of the day to Miss Lucas, whose civility in listening to him was a seasonable relief to them all, and especially to her friend.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Mary would sit and watch me by the hour together: then she would take lessons; and a docile, intelligent, assiduous pupil she made.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Mrs Clay had freckles, and a projecting tooth, and a clumsy wrist, which he was continually making severe remarks upon, in her absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether well-looking, and possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners, infinitely more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)