n.
Pronunciation: ' kr ē -d ə n(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 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
synonyms see BELIEF