from
The 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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