Also 6 credyt(e, -ytte, creadyte, 6–7 credite, -itt(e, 7 creadit. [a. F. crédit, 15th c. ad. It. credito belief, trust, reputation, ad. L. crēditus, -um, pa. pple. of crēdĕre to trust, believe. The pa. pple. neuter creditum was used in L. itself as a sb., in sense of ‘thing entrusted to another, a loan.’]
1. Belief, credence, faith, trust. To give credit to: to believe, put faith in, credit.
1542–5. Brinklow, Lament. (1874), 109. Yf ye will geue no credyte to it.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 193. My … forewarning watchwordes were counted unworthy credite.
1610. Shaks., Temp., II. i. 58. The rariety of it is … indeed almost beyond credit.
1674. Allen, Danger of Enthus., 15. To procure Credit to it by many Signs and Wonders.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 85. Charges like these may seem to deserve some degree of credit.
1862. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., iii. 48. To give entire credit to whatever he shall state.
† 2. The attribute of being generally believed or credited; the quality or reputation of being worthy of belief or trust; trustworthiness, credibility (of persons, statements, etc.). Obs. or merged in 5 b.
1574. trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 37. So euident an assurance of rewarde (if he bee of credite that hath promised it).
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 408. The creditt of which opinion I see not how it can be of any force.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., Ep. Ded. 2. Purchas, a Writer of good credit here in England, gives this testimony of my Author.
1696. trans. Du Mont’s Voy. Levant, 198. This … Absurdity … destroys the Credit of the Story.
1728. Newton, Chronol. Amended, iii. 284. He is contradicted by other authors of better credit.
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 259. The abstract philosophy of Cicero has lost its credit.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Swedenborg, Wks. (Bohn), I. 332. His revelations destroy their credit by running into detail.
† b. Right to be believed; authority (on which testimony is accepted); esp. in phr. on the credit of. Obs.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 115. That his sickenesse was naturall … the credite of others as well as my selfe can testifie.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 126. I dare take it on the credit of an excellent witness.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), III. 135. The above-mentioned inscription … rests only on Pighi’s credit.
† c. Letter of credit: a document recommending the bearer to confidence; = letter of credence.
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., 2 a. Hee gaue them a Letter of credite.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 137. He despatch’d him away in a frigat with letters of credit.
1726–31. Tindal, Rapin’s Hist. Eng., XVII. (1743), II. 99. The Duke … refused to give Ridolpho the Letters of credit which he desired for the Courts of Rome and Madrid. [See also 10 b.]
† 3. Something believed; a report. Obs. rare.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., IV. iii. 6. There I found this credite, That he did range the towne to seeke me out.
† 4. Trust, charge (to which something is committed, or which is committed to any one); = CREDENCE sb. 5. Obs.
1549. Cheke, Hurt Sedit. (R.). Such offices of trust … as ye haue committed to another mans credit.
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., I. iii. (1602), 12. The Lord Chancellor … and euerie Iustice of the Kings Bench, haue (closed in their offices) a credit for conseruation of the peace.
1609. Bible (Douay), Lev. vi. 2. The thing delivered to his custodie, which was committed to his credite.
1651. Calderwood, Hist. Kirk (1843), II. 401. William Dowglas had the credite of the keyes.
5. The estimate in which the character of a person (or thing) is held; reputation, repute. † a. gen. Obs.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 175. Such as have the name and credite of wise men.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 356. A deepe dissembler … whereby he purchased vnto himselfe that credit, that he was not of any of his neighbour Princes … either beloued or trusted.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 290. Their Credit, be it good or bad, depends chiefly on the Successe and Event.
b. Usually in pregnant sense: Favorable estimation, good name, honor, reputation, repute.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 372. What credite and worshippe is wonne by learning.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1865), 22. At whiche tyme Chaucer was a grave manne, holden in greate credyt.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 149. They will be drunke…. Nor is it admirable or losse of credit with them.
a. 1654. Selden, Table-t. (Arb.), 115. This they did to save their own credit.
1782. Cowper, Gilpin, 2. John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown.
1886. Froude, Oceana, ii. 33. The captain had his own and his ship’s credit to maintain by a quick passage.
6. Personal influence based on the confidence of others; power derived from character or reputation.
1549. Compl. Scot., xi. 87. He vas resauit rycht honorabilye, and gat gryt credit amang them.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 82. Very muche can you obteine of his friends, so good is your credite.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett., 68. To bringe him selfe into credit at Court.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), III. xlix. 765. Buckingham … resolved to employ all his credit in order to prevent the marriage.
1855. Prescott, Philip II., II. vii. (1857), 279. Granvelle … was not slow to perceive his loss of credit with the regent.
7. The honor or commendation bestowed on account of a particular action, personal quality, etc.; acknowledgement of merit. Const. of (an action, etc.).
1607. Hieron, Wks., I. 217. The Ephraimites were … offended with Gideon, because he called not them to the battell … they would have had the credit of it.
1681. Ray, Corr. (1848), 130. I would not have … you [deferred] the credit of your inventions.
1745. De Foe’s Eng. Tradesman (1841), II. xl. 126. Promising him both the advantage and the credit of it, both the honour and the reward.
1876. Mathews, Coinage, i. 8. The credit of inventing coined money has been claimed for the Persians.
1891. Gardiner, Hist. Gt. Civil War, III. lxiv. 439, note. He never takes credit for any plan of the kind.
b. Phr. To do credit to: to bring honor to, cause to be commended. To be (much, etc.) to the credit of: to be creditable to; to be to the honor or praise of.
1761. Mrs. F. Sheridan, Sidney Bidulph, II. 172. [A treatment] that seemed to please him highly, as it did him credit in the presence of his lady.
1768. Gray, in Corr. w. Nicholls (1843), 82. Temple does himself much credit with me by this letter.
1847. Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, xxi. God grant that I may do credit to it.
1853. Lytton, My Novel, IV. xiii. That your grandson should succeed in life, and do you credit.
1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls. (1872), I. 13. If it be ever so little to their credit.
1868. Bright, Sp. Ireland, 1 April. That is greatly to the credit, not only of his head, but of his heart.
8. A source of commendation or honor; something creditable. (Now only with a and to.)
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 133. Making you to beleeve, that to become a roister is credit.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. iii. 117. This is much credit to you.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. i. § 2. Conceiving it more credit … to go then to be driven away.
1706. Hearne, Collect., 8 March. He … may be a Credit to the College.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. vi. You are a credit to the school.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., iv. (1878), 51. Even if it were a credit to me.
9. Comm. a. Trust or confidence in a buyer’s ability and intention to pay at some future time, exhibited by entrusting him with goods, etc., without present payment. Phr. to give credit; on (upon) credit; long credit, i.e., credit for a long period; six months’ credit, etc.
1542–3. Act 34–5 Hen. VIII., c. 4. Sundrie persons … consume the substance obteined by credite of other men.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 385. You are forced (because of credit and forbearunce) to give a greater price.
1627. Lisander & Cal., VII. 118. Hauing taken their meate and lodging with him vpon credite, [they] had gone away without paying.
1691. Locke, Wks. (1727), II. 71. Credit being … the Expectation of Money within some limited Time.
1745. De Foe’s Eng. Tradesman (1841), I. xxvii. 272. He buys his wool … at two or three months’ credit. Ibid., II. xxxii. 2. An entry of all goods sold out and received in upon credit.
1832. Babbage, Econ. Manuf., xxxi. (ed. 3), 324. That the purchasers of books take long credit.
1878. Jevons, Prim. Pol. Econ., 110. Any one who lends a thing gives credit, and he who borrows it receives credit.
fig. 1781. Johnson, Lett. Mrs. Thrale, 14 Nov. One or two whom I hardly know I love upon credit.
1830. Scott, Jrnl., 26 June. Scottish audiences, who are certain not to give applause upon credit.
b. Reputation of solvency and probity in business, enabling a person or body to be trusted with goods or money in expectation of future payment.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 13. They … must keepe touch in all their paie: With credit crackt else for to liue.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 180. Try what my credit can in Venice doe.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 17. Francis the 1. made greater warres with lesse reuenues, left his credite sound with the marchants, and readie money to his sonne.
1673. Temple, Lett. to Dk. Ormond, Wks. 1731, I. 124. For the Credit of the Exchequer … I fear it is irrecoverably lost by the last Breach with the Bankers.
1745. De Foe’s Eng. Tradesman (1841), II. xlii. 143. Nothing is of more value to a tradesman than his credit.
1769. Junius Lett., iii. 17. Public credit is threatened with a new debt.
1866. Crump, Banking, i. 4.
1884. Standard, 20 March, 4/8. The state of Egyptian credit affects profoundly the relations of our Rulers to the situation on the Nile.
10. A sum placed at a person’s disposal in the books of a Bank, etc., upon which he may draw to the extent of the amount; any note, bill, or other document, on security of which a person may obtain funds.
1662. Marvell, Corr., xxxv. Wks. 1872–5, II. 80. Send us up a dormant credit for an hundred pound, which … we must haue ready at hand.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 21. Then the Bank Credit that is to secure the Lender will be 200 thousand pounds.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 296. A letter … with a credit for the money.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 233. The testatrix gave … all her mortgages, bonds, specialties, and credits … to her nephew and niece.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., III. vii. 688. An Exchequer warrant authorizing the Bank of England to grant credits … for the specified sum.
1883. American, VII. 166. The ready use as credits of warehouse receipts and bills of lading.
b. Letter (bill, † ticket) of credit: a letter or document granted by a banking or financial establishment, authorizing the person in whose favor it is granted to draw money to a specified amount from their correspondents in other places.
1645. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 191. I took up ninety crowns for the rest of my journey, and letters of credit for Venice.
1655. Digges, Compl. Ambass., 345. Your Lordship … must … send into Italy a Bill of Credit for so much money as may defray his charge into England.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 11. Having one son at Venice, one at Noremberge, one at Hamburgh, and one at Dantzick, where Banks are, I desire four Tickets of Credit, each of them for a Thousaná pounds.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., II. App. (1852), 191. Had the government been settled … the Massachusetts bills of credit had been like the bank bills of Venice.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic., lxxii. Furnished with money and bills of credit.
1809. R. Langford, Introd. Trade, 32. Some Letters of Credit are called general, empowering the bearer in the course of his travels to apply to any of his employer’s correspondents for … money.
11. Parliament. A sum on account, which the Administration is empowered by vote of Parliament to borrow and expend in anticipation of the amount voted in the Annual Estimates. Hence Vote of credit.
1854. Ld. Russell, in Parl. Deb., 3rd Ser. CXXXV. 598. I rise for the purpose of asking the Committee to agree to a Vote of 3,000,000l. in Supply, usually denominated a Vote of Credit.
1863. Cox, Inst. Govt., 198. The practice of voting supplies of credit from time to time.
1883. Daily News, 31 Oct., 5/4. He regretted that, owing to Ministerial duplicity, insufficient credits had been voted.
12. Book-keeping. The acknowledgement of payment by entry in an account. To enter (put) to a person’s credit: to acknowledge in this way any value received from him. b. (with pl.) A sum entered on the credit or right-hand side of an account; this side itself (abbreviated Cr.).
1745. De Foe’s Eng. Tradesman (1841), I. ii. 14. And give credit in account current to your humble servant.
1776. Trial of Nundocomar, 15/2. There are debits and credits between them in Bolaukee Doss’s books to a great amount.
1836. Penny Cycl., V. 163/1. The amount of each entry has been carried forward … to the credit of each payer.
1868. Hamilton & Ball, Bookkeeping (1886), 17. He finds that the total of the debits exceeds the total of the credits by £10.
1889. Cassell’s Pop. Educ., II. 187/1. This equality of debit and credit is the … universal principle of complete bookkeeping.
13. To give a person credit for something: a. to trust a person for the future fulfilment of something expected or due from him (obs.); to ascribe (a quality) to him on trust, to put it to his account in one’s estimate of him; b. to acknowledge that it is due to him; to ascribe the merit of it to him; c. to enter (a sum) to his credit in his account; = CREDIT v. 7.
1769. Junius Lett., xxxv. 155. They … gave you a generous credit for the future blessings of your reign.
1774. T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. App. 141. Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.
1816. J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. iv. [They] give her credit for sincerity.
1845. Hood, Tale of Trumpet, xiv. And as for the clock … The Dame only gave it credit for ticking.
1847. Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, v. I give you credit for the scheme. Ibid., xxv. It will be the advice of a sincere friend; you will give me credit for that.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., i. 15. He gives no credit to kings or emperors for any other motive.
14. attrib. and Comb. (mostly in the technical senses 9–11), as credit balance, customer, entry, item, side (of an account), system, ticket; † credit-worthy a., worthy of credit or belief, trustworthy.
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. (1568), 38. Pliny … had … red in credit worthy autores that Cypros was Ligustrum.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, I. ix. (1840), 15. Reported by credit-worthy writers.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. iv. 78. Set … on the credit side of the account.
1849. Freese, Comm. Class-bk., 109. The Journal is ruled to receive the debit and credit entries, into separate columns.
1866. Crump, Banking, iii. 82. Bankers always furnish to their customers printed forms, called ‘credit tickets,’ which are divided into different heads, and should be filled up and taken to the bank with the cheques.
1875. Poste, Gaius, IV. § 64. The banker … allows for any credit-items.
1880. McCarthy, Own Times, IV. liv. 176. They also saw that the credit system leads to almost incessant litigation.
1892. Scot. Leader, 8 Jan., 2. The borrowings still appear on the credit side.
