Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Believed; p. pr. & vb. n. Believing.]

[OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS. ge-), fr. AS. gel?fan, gel?fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG. gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil?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.

Our conqueror (whom I now Of force believe almighty). --Milton.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? --Acts xxvi. 27.

Often followed by a dependent clause. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. --Acts viii. 37.

Syn: See Expect.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)