from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. i.
1. To have a firm persuasion, esp. of the truths of religion;
to have a persuasion approaching to certainty; to exercise
belief or faith.
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Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. --Mark ix.
24.
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With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.
--Rom. x. 10.
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2. To think; to suppose.
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I will not believe so meanly of you. --Fielding.
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{To believe in}.
(a) To believe that the subject of the thought (if a
person or thing) exists, or (if an event) that it has
occurred, or will occur; -- as, to believe in the
resurrection of the dead. "She does not believe in
Jupiter." --J. H. Newman.
(b) To believe that the character, abilities, and purposes
of a person are worthy of entire confidence; --
especially that his promises are wholly trustworthy.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,
believe also in me." --John xiv. 1.
(c) To believe that the qualities or effects of an action
or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea
bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages.
{To believe on}, to accept implicitly as an object of
religious trust or obedience; to have faith in.
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