Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
            confidence of one another's integrity. --South.

            A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

            The Lord shall be thy confidence.     --Prov. iii.
                                                  26.

   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.

            Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go
            forth to-day.                         --Shak.

            But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to
            meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
                                                  --Milton.

   4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
      confidences between them.

            Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.

   {Confidence game}, any swindling operation in which advantage
      is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
      swindler.

   {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.

              I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.

   2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.

            Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are
            but thyself.                          --Shak.

   3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.

            As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a
            bird, do I with Mowbray fight.        --Shak.

   4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
      dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.

            The fool rageth and is confident.     --Prov. xiv.
                                                  16.

   5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]

            The cause was more confident than the event was
            prosperious.                          --Jer. Taylor.

Source : WordNet®

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