ˈkredɪt n. & v. --n. 1 (usu. of a person) a
source of
honour,
pride, etc. (is a credit to
the school). 2 the
acknowledgement of
merit (must
give him credit
for consistency). 3 a
good reputation (his credit stands high). 4 a
belief or
trust (I
place credit in that). b
something believable or
trustworthy (that
statement has credit). 5 a a person's
financial standing; the
sum of
money at a person's
disposal in a bank etc. b the
power to
obtain goods etc.
before payment (based on the trust
that payment will be made). 6 (usu. in pl.) an acknowledgement of a contributor's services to a
film,
television programme, etc. 7 a
grade above a pass in an
examination. 8 a reputation for solvency
and honesty in
business. 9 a (in bookkeeping) the acknowledgement of
being paid by an
entry on the credit
side of an
account. b the sum entered. c the credit side of an account. 10 US a
certificate indicating that a
student has completed a
course. --v.tr. (credited, crediting) 1
believe (cannot credit it). 2 (usu. foll. by
to, with)
enter on the credit side of an account (credited ø20 to him; credited him
with ø20). øcredit account
Brit. an account with a
shop etc. for obtaining goods or services before payment. credit card a card
from a bank etc. authorizing the obtaining of goods on credit. credit
note a note
given by a shop etc. in
return for goods returned, stating the
value of goods owed to the
customer. credit rating an
estimate of a person's suitability to
receive commercial credit. credit
sale the sale of goods on credit. credit
title a person's
name appearing at the
beginning or
end of a film or
broadcast etc. as an acknowledgement. credit
transfer a transfer from
one person's bank account to another's. credit a
person with
ascribe (a good quality) to a person. do credit to (or do a person credit)
enhance the reputation
of.
get credit for be given credit for. give a person credit for 1 enter (a sum) to a person's credit. 2 ascribe (a good quality) to a person. give credit to believe.
letter of credit a letter from a banker authorizing a person to
draw money up to a specified
amount, usu. from
another bank. on credit with an
arrangement to pay later. to one's credit in one's
praise,
commendation, or
defence (to
his credit, he refused the offer). [F cr÷dit f.
It. credito or L creditum f. credere creditbelieve, trust]