credent, a. (n.) rare.
(ˈkriːdənt)
1. Believing, trustful, confiding.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. i. iii. 30 If with too credent eare you list his Songs. 1800 Sir P. Francis in Parr's Wks. (1828) VII. 194 All my credent faculties desert me..when I am called upon to believe [etc.]. 1867 J. B. Rose tr. æneid 247 We lend credent ears. |
b. as n. One who believes; a believer.
| 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. Pref. §29 That opinion which you would fain induce your credents unto. |
† 2. a. Having credit or repute; b. credible.
| 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. iv. 29 My Authority beares of a credent bulke. 1611 ― Wint. T. i. ii. 142 Then 'tis very credent, Thou may'st co-ioyne with something. |
Hence ˈcredently adv., believingly.
| 1832 Carlyle Ess. (1872) IV. 227 To have heard credently that such exist. |