words

absurd

• adjective completely unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.

— DERIVATIVES absurdity noun absurdly adverb.

— ORIGIN Latin absurdus ‘out of tune’, hence ‘irrational’.

ridiculous

• adjective inviting mockery or derision; absurd.

— DERIVATIVES ridiculously adverb ridiculousness noun.

— ORIGIN Latin ridiculus ‘laughable’, from ridere ‘to laugh’.

confidence

• noun 1 the belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something. 23 the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust. 4 a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust. self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s abilities.

trust

• noun 1 firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. 23 the state of being responsible for someone or something. 4 acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation. Law an arrangement whereby a person (a trustee) is made the nominal owner of property to be held or used for the benefit of one or more others. 5 a body of trustees, or an organization or company managed by trustees.

• verb 1 have trust in. 2 (trust with) have the confidence to allow (someone) to have, use, or look after. 3 (trust to) commit (someone or something) to the safekeeping of. 4 (trust to) place reliance on (luck, fate, etc.). 5 have confidence; hope: I trust that you have enjoyed this book.

— DERIVATIVES trustable adjective trusted adjective.

— ORIGIN from Old Norse, strong.