Main Entry:

cre·dence

Pronunciation:

\ˈkrē-d^ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent-, credens, present participle of credere to believe, trust — more at creed

Date:

14th century

1 a: mental acceptance as true or real <give credence to gossip> b: credibility 1 <lends credence to the theory>2: credentials —used in the phrase letters of credence3 [Middle French, from Old Italian credenza] : a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate4: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration

synonyms see belief