[f. as prec. + -ER1.] One who believes. a. One who has faith in the doctrines of religion; esp. a Christian, Christian disciple.
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer, Te Deum. Thou diddest open the kyngdome of heauen to all beleuers.
1611. Bible, 1 Tim. iv. 12. Be thou an example of the beleeuers.
1704. Nelson, Fest. & Fasts, xxv. (1739), 319. They who first embraced the Faith were styled Disciples or Believers.
1779. J. Newton, Hymn, How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear.
b. gen. One who believes in, (or of anything.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., Pref. (1631), x. (J.). Discipline … began … to enter into open conflict with those verie Churches, which in desperate extremitie had beene beleeuers [1604 & 1666 relieuers] of it.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., Wks. 1755, V. II. 126. I could get but few believers, when I attempted to justify you.
1876. Green, Short Hist., viii. § 2. 470. James was a fanatical believer in the rights and power of his crown.
