believer
(bɪˈliːvə(r))
[f. as prec. + -er1.]
One who believes. a. One who has faith in the doctrines of religion; esp. a Christian, Christian disciple.
| 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer, Te Deum, Thou diddest open the kyngdome of heauen to all beleuers. 1611 Bible 1 Tim. iv. 12 Be thou an example of the beleeuers. 1704 Nelson Fest. & Fasts xxv. (1739) 319 They who first embraced the Faith were styled Disciples or Believers. 1779 J. Newton Hymn, How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear. |
b. gen. One who believes in, (or of) anything.
| a 1600 Hooker (J.) Discipline began to enter into conflict with Churches which, in extremity, had been believers of it. 1724 Swift Drapier's Lett. Wks. 1755 V. ii. 126, I could get but few believers, when I attempted to justify you. 1876 Green Short. Hist. viii. §2. 470 James was a fanatical believer in the rights and power of his crown. |