n.
- the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future.
▸money lent or made available under such an arrangement.
- an entry in an account recording a sum received.
- public acknowledgement or praise given for an achievement or quality.
▸a source of pride:
the fans are a credit to the club.
-
(also credit title)
an item in a list displayed at the beginning or end of a film or programme, acknowledging a contributor's role.
- chiefly N. Amer. the acknowledgement of a student's completion of a course or activity that counts towards a degree or diploma.
▸Brit. a grade above a pass in an examination.
- archaic credibility.
▸good reputation.
v.
(credits, crediting, credited)
- publicly acknowledge someone as a participant in the production of (something published or broadcast).
▸
(credit someone with)
ascribe (an achievement or good quality) to someone.
- add (an amount of money) to an account.
- Brit. believe (something surprising or unlikely).
Phrase
- be in credit
(of an account) have money in it. - do someone credit
make someone worthy of praise or respect. - have something to one's credit
have achieved something notable. - on credit
with an arrangement to pay later.
Etymology
C16: from Fr. crédit, prob. via Ital. credito from L. creditum, neut. past part. of credere ‘believe, trust’.