ˈkrēd ə n(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French credence trust, confidence, from Medieval Latin credentia promise, security given, credit, belief, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin credentia trust, belief, from Latin credent-, credens (present participle of credere to trust, believe) + -ia -y — more at creed
1. : acceptance (as of a story or statement) as true : belief
to give credence to gossip
to withhold credence from the miracles of Scripture
2. : trustworthiness , reliability
the words of a man of credence
the credence of the senses
3. : credentials — now used only in the phrase letters of credence
4.
[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza ]
: a sideboard, elaborate cupboard, or buffet of the Renaissance period used chiefly for valuable plate and vessels — see credenza
5. or credence table
[French crédence table for bread and wine beside the communion table, sideboard or buffet of the Renaissance period, from Middle French credence sideboard or buffet of the Renaissance period]
: a small table, shelf, or niche beside the communion table where the bread and wine rest before consecration
Synonyms: see belief