Defn: Giving a title or claim to credit or confidence; accrediting.
Their credential letters on both sides. Camden.
CREDENTIAL
Cre*den"tial, n. Etym: [Cf. It. credenziale.]
1. That which gives a title to credit or confidence.
2. pl.
Defn: Testimonials showing that a person is entitled to credit, or has right to exercise official power, as the letters given by a government to an ambassador or envoy, or a certificate that one is a duly elected delegate. The committee of estates excepted against the credentials of the English commissioners. Whitelocke. Had they not shown undoubted credentials from the Divine Person who sent them on such a message. Addison.
CREDIBILITY
Cred`i*bil"i*ty (krd`-bl"-t), n. Etym: [Cf. F. cr.]
Defn: The quality of being credible; credibleness; as, the credibility of facts; the credibility of witnesses.
CREDIBLE
Cred"i*ble (krd"-b'l), a. Etym: [L. credibilis, fr. credere. See
Creed.]
Defn: Capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entiled to confidence; trustworthy. Things are made credible either by the known condition and quality of the utterer or by the manifest likelihood of truth in themselves. Hooker. A very diligent and observing person, and likewise very sober and credible. Dampier.
CREDIBLENESS
Cred"i*ble*ness, n.