His accent and modest, even diffident, manner led the Negro leaders to view him as much less than he was.

He had a pleasant, diffident manner and a sympathetic style.

It was nothing anyone had expected, given Zhaneel's diffident manner up until this moment.

Colleagues are often struck by the body language between the large, volcanic Clinton and Lake, whose diffident manner makes him seem smaller than he is.

He was a short, middle-aged man with a diffident manner and an encyclopedic knowledge of Antarctica.

She was very beautiful, with shoulder-length mahogany hair, fine bones and a diffident manner.

Beginning in a neutral and rather diffident manner, the story builds to a climax of great power.

Questions are answered in a diffident manner, and the answers reluctantly accepted.

In the diffident manner was nothing of the art of the courtesan.

He was a small man with a thoughtful expression and a diffident manner.