■ noun
1》 the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future.
↘money lent or made available under such an arrangement.
2》 an entry in an account recording a sum received.
3》 public acknowledgement or praise given for an achievement or quality.
↘a source of pride: the fans are a ~ to the club.
4》 (also ~ title ) an item in a list displayed at the beginning or end of a film or programme, acknowledging a contributor's role.
5》 chiefly N. Amer. the acknowledgement of a student's completion of a course or activity that counts towards a degree or diploma.
↘ Brit. a grade above a pass in an examination.
6》 archaic credibility.
↘good reputation.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 publicly acknowledge someone as a participant in the production of (something published or broadcast).
↘( ~ someone with ) ascribe (an achievement or good quality) to someone.
2》 add (an amount of money) to an account.
3》 Brit. believe (something surprising or unlikely).
Phrases
be in ~ (of an account) have money in it.
do someone ~ make someone worthy of praise or respect.
have something to one's ~ have achieved something notable.
on ~ with an arrangement to pay later.
Origin
C16: from Fr. crédit , prob. via Ital. ~o from L. ~um , neut. past participle of credere 'believe, trust'.