credulous, a.
(ˈkrɛdjʊləs)
[f. L. crēdul-us (F. crédule) + -ous.]
1. Ready or disposed to believe. (Now rare exc. as in 2.)
| 1579 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 86 Beinge over credulous to beleeve whatsoever is unadvisedly committid to writinge. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. ii. 69 If he be credulous, and trust my tale. 1605 Bp. Hall Medit. & Vows ii. 15 Not a curious head, but a credulous and plaine heart is accepted with God. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. (1698) I. xiii. 364, I..advised him not to be too credulous of the Generals promises. [1839 Longfellow Flowers xv, With childlike credulous affection. 1859 Tennyson Idylls, Geraint & Enid 1723 Like simple noble natures, credulous Of what they long for, good in friend or foe.] |
2. Over-ready to believe; apt to believe on weak or insufficient grounds.
| 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 216 Bee not credulous..and light of beleefe. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iv. i. 46 Thus credulous Fooles are caught. 1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 81 Seven as arrant imposters as ever deluded the credulous world. 1791 Cowper Iliad xvi. 1030 And with vain words the credulous beguiled. a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. (1869) III. ii. 111 An ignorant and therefore a credulous age. 1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. I. iii. iv. 322 Well known to be of a credulous turn of mind. |
b. transf. Of things, etc.: Characterized by or arising from credulity.
| 1648 Milton Tenure Kings Wks. 1738 I. 323 That credulous Peace which the French Protestants made with Charles the Ninth. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, III. x. 190 The credulous superstition of the people. 1871 Farrar Witn. Hist. ii. 57 Credulous exaggerations. |
† c. Believed too readily. Obs. rare.
| a 1625 Beaumont & Fl. Faithf. Friends iv. i, 'Twas he possessed me with your credulous death. |