First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
credence
noun cre·dence \ˈkrē-dən(t)s\
: belief that something is true
: the quality of being believed or accepted as something true or real
Full Definition of CREDENCE
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 credence
3
[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza] : a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate
4
: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration
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Origin of CREDENCE
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
Synonym Discussion of CREDENCE
belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance. belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer <my belief that I had caught all the errors>. faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof <an unshakable faith in God>. credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent <a theory now given credence by scientists>. credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof <gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness>.
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