HONORS ENGLISH I
VOCABULARY
LESSON 7: THE ROOT –CRED-
CRED
• The Latin root –cred- serves as the core of many
English words. It stems from the Latin verb creder,
meaning “to believe.”
ACCREDIT
• (transitive verb)
• a. To recognize as having met official standards.
• b. To ascribe or attribute to; credit with.
• c. To authorize.
• Example: The state board of education had the
power to accredit all schools in the county.
CREDENCE
• (noun)
a.
b.
Acceptance as true or valid; belief
Claim to acceptance; trustworthiness.
• Example: Mrs. Payne always reminds us not to give
credence to gossip.
CREDENTIAL
• (noun)
a.
b.
Something that entitles a person to confidence, credit, or
authority.
A letter or other written evidence of a person’s
qualifications or status; a reference.
• Example: The Days lacked the credentials for a
large business loan.
CREDIBILITY
• (noun)
• a. The quality of deserving confidence; plausibility; reliability.
• b. Readiness to believe.
• Example: The magazine article lacked credibility
because of its many factual errors.
CREDITABLE
• (adjective) Deserving commendation;
praiseworthy.
• Example: Although she lacked experience as a
diplomat, she did a creditable job of defending the
interests of her country.
CREDULOUS
• (adjective) Tending to believe too readily; easily
deceived; gullible.
• Example: When “War of the Worlds” was first heard
on radio, many credulous people were convinced
that Earth was being invaded by Martians.
CREED
• (noun) Any statement or system of belief, principles,
or opinions that guides a person’s actions.
• Example: My personal creed is to do unto others as
you would want them to do unto you.
DISCREDIT
• (transitive verb)
• a. To cast doubt on; destroy belief, faith, or trust in.
• b. To damage in reputation; disgrace.
• c. To refuse to believe in.
• (noun)
• a. Doubt; lack of belief or trust.
• b. Loss or damage to one’s reputation.
• c. Something that brings disgrace or distrust.
• Example: A substantial body of scientific evidence
has discredited the theory that human skull size is
related to intelligence.
INCREDIBLE
• (adjective)
• a. Too extraordinary to be possible.
• b. Astonishing; amazing.
• Example: Pam’s incredible talent for computer
programming enabled her to write sophisticated
programs after only three weeks of training.
MISCREANT
• (noun) A person who behaves badly or criminally;
villain
• (adjective) Wicked; base.
• Example: The police searched for the miscreant
who had committed the robberies.