n. 1. a. Acceptance as true or valid; belief: I wouldn't put too much credence in that story. See Synonyms at belief. b. Credibility; plausibility: "A number of other details ... lend credence to her account" (Jane Mayer). 2. Recommendation; credentials: a letter of credence. 3. A small table or shelf for holding the bread, wine, and vessels of the Eucharist when they are not in use at the altar. [Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin crēdentia, from Latin crēdēns, crēdent-, present participle of crēdere, to believe; see kerd- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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