[ac.cred.it] vt [L accreditus, pp. of accredere to give credence to, fr. ad- + credere to believe--more at creed] (1535) 1: to give official authorization to or approval of: a: to provide with credentials; esp: to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization b: to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard c: to recognize (an educational institution) as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions or for professional practice
2: to consider or recognize as outstanding
3: attribute, credit syn see approve -- ac.cred.i.table adj -- ac.cred.i.ta.tion n