belief

be·lief

Pronunciation:

\bə-ˈlēf\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English beleave, probably alteration of Old English gelēafa, from ge-,associative prefix + lēafa

Date:

12th century

1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing2: something believed ; especially : a tenet or body of tenets held by a group3: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence