believed

1 definition found

believed - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Believed; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Believing.] [OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS.
     ge-), fr. AS. gel?fan, gel?fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG.
     gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil?bian, Goth. galaubjan, and
     Goth. liubs dear. See Lief, a., Leave, n.]
     To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or
     testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon
     evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of
     the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge;
     to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to
     think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or
     a doctrine.
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           Our conqueror (whom I now
           Of force believe almighty).              --Milton.
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           King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? --Acts
                                                    xxvi. 27.
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           Often followed by a dependent clause.
           I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. --Acts
                                                    viii. 37.
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     Syn: See Expect.
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