[cre.dence] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML credentia, fr. L credent-, credens, prp. of credere to believe, trust--more at creed] (14c) 1 a: mental acceptance as true or real "give ~ to gossip" b: credibility 1 "lends ~ to the theory"
2: credentials--used in the phrase letters of credence 3 [MF, fr. OIt credenza]: a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate
4: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration syn see belief