credence in English
- credence⇄credence, noun.
1. belief or credit.
Ex. The kind-hearted old lady seldom gave credence to gossip about her neighbors.
(SYN) faith, trust.
2. an introduction or recommendation in confidence; credential.
Ex. a letter of cred
Credence
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈkriːdəns/
Definitions
- Credence (noun): The belief in or acceptance of something as true.
- Credence (noun): A small cabinet or sideboard, typically used to store food or valuables.
Usage Examples
- His claim lacked any credence among the scientific community.
- The witness gave no credence to the defendant's alibi.
- The credence in the old church was beautifully carved and decorated.
Etymology
The word "credence" comes from the Latin word "credentia," meaning "belief" or "trust," from the verb "credere," meaning "to believe." It entered Middle English in the 14th century and has retained its meaning of belief or acceptance of truth since then.
Synonyms
- Belief
- Faith
- Trust
- Confidence
- Assurance
Antonyms
- Disbelief
- Skepticism
- Doubt
- Distrust
- Suspicion
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Credibilidad | /kɾeðiβiliˈðað/ |
| French | Crédibilité | /kʁe.dɪ.bi.li.te/ |
| German | Glaubwürdigkeit | /ˈɡlaʊ̯bˌvʏʁdɪçkaɪt/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 可信度 | /kě xìn dù/ |
| Hindi | विश्वसनीयता | /viśvasanīyatā/ |
| Italian | Credibilità | /kredibilita/ |
| Russian | Достоверность | /dɐstɐˈvʲernəstʲ/ |
| Japanese | 信頼性 | /shinraisei/ |
| Arabic | المصداقية | /al-misdāqīyah/ |
| Portuguese | Credibilidade | /kɾedʒiˈbilidadʒi/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English, the stress is on the first syllable, making it sound like /ˈkriːdəns/.
- In British English, it may be slightly more enunciated as /ˈkriːd(ə)ns/ with a soft schwa sound in the second syllable.
Historical Usage
The term "credence" has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to belief or trust in something, particularly in a religious or philosophical context. Over time, it expanded to include the notion of credibility or reliability in various fields, such as journalism, law, and science.
Cultural Nuances
The concept of "credence" has strong ties to philosophy, particularly in discussions about knowledge and belief. It is often discussed in relation to the credibility of sources, such as the credence given to an expert's testimony or the trust placed in historical narratives. In some cultures, the idea of credence is closely associated with respect for authority or tradition.
More Information
The word "credence" is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In today's world, credence often relates to the acceptance of information, particularly in the age of information overload, where discerning fact from fiction requires trust in sources. In philosophy, "credence" is used in epistemology to describe the degree to which someone believes in a proposition, particularly when dealing with uncertainty.