The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Credence \Cre"dence\, v. t.
   To give credence to; to believe. [Obs.]
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Credence \Cre"dence\ (kr[=e]"dens), n. [LL. credentia, fr. L.
   credens, -entis, p. pr. of credere to trust, believe: cf. OF.
   credence. See Creed, and cf. Credent, Creance.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Reliance of the mind on evidence of facts derived from
      other sources than personal knowledge; belief; credit;
      confidence.
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            To give credence to the Scripture miracles.
                                                  --Trench.
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            An assertion which might easily find credence.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   2. That which gives a claim to credit, belief, or confidence;
      as, a letter of credence.
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   3. (Eccl.) The small table by the side of the altar or
      communion table, on which the bread and wine are placed
      before being consecrated.
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   4. A cupboard, sideboard, or cabinet, particularly one
      intended for the display of rich vessels or plate, and
      consisting chiefly of open shelves for that purpose.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

credence
    n 1: the mental attitude that something is believable and should
         be accepted as true; "he gave credence to the gossip";
         "acceptance of Newtonian mechanics was unquestioned for 200
         years" [syn: credence, acceptance]
    2: a kind of sideboard or buffet [syn: credenza, credence]