Believe (&unr_;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Believed (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Believing.] [OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS. ge-), fr. AS. gel&unr_;fan, gel&unr_;fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG. gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil&unr_;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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