credence

[ kreed-ns ]

noun

1. belief as to the truth of something:

   to give credence to a claim.

   Synonyms: confidence, faith, credit

2. something giving a claim to belief or confidence:

   letter of credence.

3. Also called credence table, Ecclesiastical. a small side table, shelf, or niche for holding articles used in the Eucharist service.
4. Furniture. credenza ( def 1 ).

credence

/ ˈkriːdəns /

noun

1. acceptance or belief, esp with regard to the truth of the evidence of others

   I cannot give credence to his account

2. something supporting a claim to belief; recommendation; credential (esp in the phrase letters of credence )
3. short for credence table

Other Words From

• non·cre·dence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of credence¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French credence < Medieval Latin crēdentia. See credent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of credence¹

C14: from Medieval Latin crēdentia trust, credit, from Latin crēdere to believe

Example Sentences

Neither of these appear to be the case, lending credence to reports that Israel triggered the explosive pagers because it believed its plot had been, or was in the process of being uncovered.

From BBC

For another, they say, the effort gives credence to false claims that large numbers of people are voting illegally by exploiting deficiencies in registration records.

From Salon

While the reasons behind why people forgo treatment are varied and often subjective, America’s cultural dismissal of therapy and general obstinance about prioritizing mental health gives credence to the intense backlash Biles faced post-Tokyo.

From Salon

But watching the move as a spectator doesn’t necessarily give credence to its intensity — despite the wolf turn’s seeming ease, however, it’s anything but.

From Salon

"The answer is 'yes'. According to their eligibility, their passports, their history. A test which may have happened - a made-up test which was new - should not be given credence."

From BBC