The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Believe \Be*lieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Believed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Believing.] [OE. bileven (with pref. be- for AS.
   ge-), fr. AS. gel?fan, gel?fan; akin to D. gelooven, OHG.
   gilouban, G. glauben, OS. gil?bian, Goth. galaubjan, and
   Goth. liubs dear. See Lief, a., Leave, n.]
   To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or
   testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon
   evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of
   the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge;
   to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to
   think; to consider; as, to believe a person, a statement, or
   a doctrine.
   [1913 Webster]

         Our conqueror (whom I now
         Of force believe almighty).              --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ? --Acts
                                                  xxvi. 27.
   [1913 Webster]

         Often followed by a dependent clause.
         I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. --Acts
                                                  viii. 37.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: See Expect.
        [1913 Webster]