Credence

[L. Lat. credent i a; It. credenza, from Lat. credo, credens, to credit, to believe.] Reliance of the mind on evidence of facts derived from other sources than personal knowledge, or from the testimony of others; belief; credit; trust; confidence. "Love and wisdom, may plead for ample credence." - Shaks. -That which gives a claim to credit, belief, or confidence. "After they had delivered to the king their letters of credence, they were led to a chamber richly furnished." - Hayward. (Eccl.) A small table near the altar, or communion table, on which the bread and wine to be used in the celebration of the Lord's Supper are placed, previous to consecration. They were common in the early churches. The name is said to be derived from the practice in ancient courts of having a sideboard or credence-table, at which the cup-bearers and carvers ( credentiarii ) were required to taste the wines and meats before being presented to the monarch, in case of poison. Credendum, n .; pl . CREDENDA. [Lat.] A thing authorizing belief; an article of faith. "These were the great articles and credenda of Christianity" South.