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n. 1. a. An arrangement for deferred payment of a loan or purchase: a store that offers credit; bought my stereo on credit. b. The terms governing such an arrangement: low prices and easy credit. c. The time allowed for deferred payment: an automatic 30-day credit on all orders. 2. a. The deduction of a payment made by a debtor from an amount due. b. The positive balance or amount remaining in a person's account. c. A credit line. 3. Reputation for solvency and integrity entitling a person to be trusted in buying or borrowing: You should have no trouble getting the loan if your credit is good. 4. a. Official certification or recognition that a student has successfully completed a course of study: He received full credit for his studies at a previous school. b. A unit of study so certified: This course carries three credits. 5. often credits An acknowledgment of work done, as in the production of a motion picture or publication: At the end of the film we stayed to watch the credits. 6. Influence based on the good opinion or confidence of others: used his credit with the police to get them to devote more time to the case. 7. Recognition or approval for an act, ability, or quality: gave them credit for a job well done. 8. A source of honor or distinction: This exceptional athlete is a credit to our team. 9. A reputation for sound character or quality; standing: It is to their credit that they worked so hard without complaining. 10. Belief or confidence in the truth of something: "They give no credit to [his] scurrilous assertions" (John Edgar Wideman). See Synonyms at belief. tr.v. cred·it·ed, cred·it·ing, cred·its 1. a. To give as a credit: credited $500 to her account. b. To give a credit to: credit an account. 2. To give or award an educational credit to. 3. a. To regard as having performed an action or being endowed with a quality: had to credit them with good intentions. b. To ascribe or attribute: credit the invention to him; credited her recovery to an innovative treatment. See Synonyms at attribute. 4. Archaic To bring honor or distinction to. [French, from Old French, from Old Italian credito, from Latin crēditum, loan, from neuter past participle of crēdere, to entrust; see kerd- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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