Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Believing; inclined to believe or credit; apt to give credence or belief; credulous.
- Having credit; not to be questioned.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective rare Believing; giving credence; credulous.
- adjective obsolete Having credit or authority; credible.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective obsolete
gullible
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Now it is this large-eyed, liberal regard of man, this grand, childlike, all-credent appreciation, which distinguishes the earlier and Scriptural literatures.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 96, October 1865 Various
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See how he can change his skin when he likes! ego servi sumpsi Sosiae mi imaginem, qui cum Amphitruone abiit hinc in exercitum, ut praeservire amanti meo possem patri atque ut ne, qui essem, familiares quaererent, versari crebro hic cum viderent me domi; nunc, cum esse credent servom et conservom suom, haud quisquam quaeret qui siem aut quid venerim.
Amphitryo, Asinaria, Aulularia, Bacchides, Captivi Amphitryon, The Comedy of Asses, The Pot of Gold, The Two Bacchises, The Captives Titus Maccius Plautus 1919
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Quomodo enim credent in eum, de quo non audierint? quomodo autem audient absque praedicante? quomodo praedicabunt, nisi fuerint missi?
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Nam convenit nos semper esse memores verborum Apostoli: Quomodo credent, de quo non audierunt?
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Quomodo enim credent in eum, de quo non audierint? quomodo autem audient absque praedicante? quomodo praedicabunt, nisi fuerint missi?
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Nam convenit nos semper esse memores verborum Apostoli: Quomodo credent, de quo non audierunt?
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St. Paul to the Romans maketh a gradation of such-wise: _Omnis quicunque invocaverit nomen Domini salvabitur: quomodo ergo invocabunt in quem non crediderunt, aut quomodo credent ei quem non audisrunt_? that is to say,
Sermons on the Card Hugh Latimer 1858
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"For my authority bears _such_ a credent bulk," &c.
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_here's of a credent bulk_ Singer. _bears so credent bulk_ Dyce.
Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] William Shakespeare 1590
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_bears off a credent bulk_ F4. _bears off all credence_ Pope.
Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] William Shakespeare 1590
manilamac commented on the word credent
Credent
Words and Phrases Coined by Shakespeare
At this site:
http://www.pathguy.com/shakeswo.htm
Lists “credent” as one of the “words which Shakespeare evidently coined but which did NOT pass into common use.”
While, “SHAKESPEARE'S COINED WORDS”
An article originally published in "The Shakespeare Key". Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1879. pp. 54-64.
And found here:
http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/shakespeare031.html
Gives the following examples:
"For my authority bears so credent bulk,
That no particular scandal once can touch,
But it confounds the breather. -- Measure for Measure, iv. 4.
With what's unreal thou co-active art,
And fellow'st nothing: then, 'tis very credent
Thou may'st co-join with something -- The Winter's Tale, i. 2.
If with too credent ear you list his songs. -- Hamlet, i. 3.
From the Latin principles credendus, 'to be believed or trusted,' and credens, 'believing,' 'trusting,' Shakespeare fashioned the word 'credent': to express, in the first of the above three passages, 'quality commanding belief or credit'; in the second, 'easily to be believed or credited'; and in the third, 'facilely believing or giving credit.'"
What can I say? Your listing seems to put the lie to the idea that “credent” “did not pass into common use.” On the other hand, your etymology seems to bring into question the whole idea of Shakespeare’s coinage. It may, in fact be a simple neologism. Which brings up the point that many people who should know better are blurring the difference between a coinage and a neologism.
Manilamac
June 30, 2009