The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. A woman to whom secrets or private matters are disclosed.
n. A woman character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions of a main character.
n. The name given by the English designer Hepplewhite to a species of sofa, similar to an ordinary stuffed couch, with additional seats at the ends, all made in one.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a female confidant
Word Usage
"Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, said that with a close Putin confidante now starting a five year term as Moscow's mayor, it is clear where power really lies in Russia today."