2. pl. Testimonials showing that a person is entitled to credit, or has right to exercise official power, as
the letters given by a government to an ambassador or envoy, or a certificate that one is a duly elected
delegate.
The committee of estates excepted against the credentials of the English commissioners.
Whitelocke.
Had they not shown undoubted credentials from the Divine Person who sent them on such a message.
Addison.
Credibility
(Cred`i*bil"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. crédibilité.] The quality of being credible; credibleness; as, the credibility
of facts; the credibility of witnesses.
Credible
(Cred"i*ble) a. [L. credibilis, fr. credere. See Creed.] Capable of being credited or believed; worthy
of belief; entitled to confidence; trustworthy.
Things are made credible either by the known condition and quality of the utterer or by the manifest
likelihood of truth in themselves.
Hooker.
A very diligent and observing person, and likewise very sober and credible.
Dampier.
Credibleness
(Cred"i*ble*ness), n. The quality or state of being credible; worthiness of belief; credibility.
[R.] Boyle.
Credibly
(Cred"i*bly), adv. In a manner inducing belief; as, I have been credibly informed of the event.
Credit
(Cred"it) n. [F. crédit L. creditum loan, prop. neut. of creditus, p. p. of credere to trust, loan,
believe. See Creed.]
1. Reliance on the truth of something said or done; belief; faith; trust; confidence.
When Jonathan and the people heard these words they gave no credit unto them, nor received them.
1
Macc. x. 46.
2. Reputation derived from the confidence of others; esteem; honor; good name; estimation.
John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown.
Cowper.
3. A ground of, or title to, belief or confidence; authority derived from character or reputation.
The things which we properly believe, be only such as are received on the credit of divine testimony.
Hooker.
4. That which tends to procure, or add to, reputation or esteem; an honor.
I published, because I was told I might please such as it was a credit to please.
Pope.
5. Influence derived from the good opinion, confidence, or favor of others; interest.
Having credit enough with his master to provide for his own interest.
Clarendon.
6. (Com.) Trust given or received; expectation of future playment for property transferred, or of fulfillment
or promises given; mercantile reputation entitling one to be trusted; — applied to individuals, corporations,
communities, or nations; as, to buy goods on credit.
Credit is nothing but the expectation of money, within some limited time.
Locke.
7. The time given for payment for lands or goods sold on trust; as, a long credit or a short credit.
