Chapter 361

The creative force exists in the germ. Whewell.

Creativeness <Xpage=341>

Cre*a"tive*ness , n. The qualiyu of being creative.

Cretor <Xpage=341>

Cre*"tor (kr?-?"t?r) , n. [L. creator : cf. F. cr<?/ateur .] One who creates, produces, or constitutes. Specifically, the Supreme Being.

To sin's rebuke and my Creater's praise. Shak.

The poets and artists of Greece, who are at the same time its prophets, the creators of its divinities, and the revealers of its theological beliefs. Caird.

Creatorship <Xpage=341>

Cre*a"tor*ship , n. State or condition of a creator.

Creatress <Xpage=341>

Cre*a"tress , n. [L. creatrix : cf. F. cr<?/atrice .] She who creates.

Spenser.

Creatrix <Xpage=341>

Cre*a"trix (-tr?ks) , n. [L.] A creatress. [R.]

Creatural <Xpage=341>

Crea"tur*al (kr?"t?r-a]/>l; 135) , a. Belonging to a creature; having the qualities of a creature. [R.]

Creature <Xpage=341>

Crea"ture (kr?"t?r; 135) , n. [F. cr<?/ature , L. creatura . See Create .] 1. Anything created; anything not self-existent; especially, any being created with life; an animal; a man.

He asked water, a creature so common and needful that it was against the law of nature to deny him. Fuller.

God's first creature was light. Bacon.

On earth, join, all ye creatures , to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. Milton.

And most attractive is the fair result Of thought, the creature of a polished mind. Cowper.

2. A human being, in pity, contempt, or endearment; as, a poor creature ; a pretty creature .

The world hath not a sweeter creature . Shak.

3. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; a servile dependent; an instrument; a tool.

A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen. Shak.

Both Charles himself and his creature , Laud. Macualay.

4. A general term among farmers for horses, oxen, etc.

Creature comforts , those which minister to the comfort of the body.

Cratureless <Xpage=341>

Cra"ture*less , a. Without created beings; alone.

God was alone And creatureless at first. Donne.

Creaturely <Xpage=341>

Crea"ture*ly , a. Creatural; characteristic of a creature. [R.] " Creaturely faculties."

Cheyne.

Creatureship <Xpage=341>

Crea"ture*ship , n. The condition of being a creature.

Creaturize <Xpage=341>

Crea"tur*ize (-?z) , v. t. To make like a creature; to degrade [Obs.]

Degrade and creaturize that mundane soul. Cudworth.

<page="342"> Page 342

Creaze <Xpage=342>

Creaze (kr?z) , n. (Mining) The tin ore which collects in the central part of the washing pit or buddle.

Crebricostate <Xpage=342>

Cre`bri*cos"tate (kr?`br?-k?s"t?t) , a. [L. creber close + costa rib.] (Zo\'94l.) Marked with closely set ribs or ridges.

Crebrisulcate <Xpage=342>

Cre`bri*sul"cate (kr?`br?-s?l"k?t) , a. [L. creber close + sulcus furrow.] (Zo\'94l.) Marked with closely set transverse furrows.

Crebritude <Xpage=342>

Creb"ri*tude (kr?b"r?-t?d) , n. [L. crebritudo , fr. creber close.] Frequency. [Obs.]

Bailey.

Crebrous <Xpage=342>

Cre"brous (kr?"br?s) , a. [L. creber close set, frequent.] Frequent; numerous. [Obs.]

Goodwin.

Creche <Xpage=342>

Creche (kr?sh) , n. [F.] A public nursery, where the young children of poor women are cared for during the day, while their mothers are at work.

Credence <Xpage=342>

Cre"dence (kr?"d e ns) , n. [LL. credentia , fr. L. credens , -entis , p. pr. of credere to trust, believe: cf. OF. credence . See Creed , and cf. Credent , Creance .]

1. Reliance of the mind on evidence of facts derived from other sources than personal knowledge; belief; credit; confidence.

To give credence to the Scripture miracles. Trench.

An assertion which might easily find credence . Macualay.

2. That which gives a claim to credit, belief, or confidence; as, a letter of credence .

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.

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.

Credence <Xpage=342>

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

Credendum <Xpage=342>

Cre*den"dum (kr?-d?n"d?m) , n. ; pl. Credenda (-d<?/) . [L., fr. credere to belive.] (Theol.) A thing to be believed; an article of faith; -- distinguished from agendum , a practical duty.

The great articles and credenda of Christianity. South.

Credent <Xpage=342>

Cre"dent (kr?"d e nt) , a. [. credens , -entis , p. pr. of credere to trust, believe. See Creed .] 1. Believing; giving credence; credulous. [R.]

If with too credent esr you list songs. Shak.

2. Having credit or authority; credible. [Obs.]

For my authority bears of a credent bulk. Shak.

Credential <Xpage=342>

Cre*den"tial (kr?-d?n"sh a l) , a. [Cf. It. credenziale , fr. LL. credentia . See Credence .] Giving a title or claim to credit or confidence; accrediting.

Their credential letters on both sides. Camden.

Credential <Xpage=342>

Cre*den"tial , n. [Cf. It. credenziale .] 1. That which gives a title to credit or confidence.

2. pl. Testimonials showing that a person is entitled to credit, or has right to exercise official power, as the letters given by a government to an ambassador or envoy, or a certificate that one is a duly elected delegate.

The committee of estates excepted against the credentials of the English commissioners. Whitelocke.

Had they not shown undoubted credentials from the Divine Person who sent them on such a message. Addison.

Credibility <Xpage=342>

Cred`i*bil"i*ty (kr?d`?-b?l"?-t?) , n. [Cf. F. cr<?/dibilit<?/ .] The quality of being credible; credibleness; as, the credibility of facts; the credibility of witnesses.

Credible <Xpage=342>

Cred"i*ble (kr?d"?-b'l) , a. [L. credibilis , fr. credere . See Creed .] Capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entiled to confidence; trustworthy.

Things are made credible either by the known condition and quality of the utterer or by the manifest likelihood of truth in themselves. Hooker.

A very diligent and observing person, and likewise very sober and credible . Dampier.

Credibleness <Xpage=342>

Cred"i*ble*ness , n. The quality or state of being credible; worthness of belief; credibility. [R.]

Boyle.

Credibly <Xpage=342>

Cred"i*bly , adv. In a manner inducing belief; as, I have been credibly informed of the event .

Credit <Xpage=342>

Cred"it (kr?d"?t) , n. [F. cr<?/dit (cf. It. credito ), L. creditum loan, prop. neut. of creditus , p. p. of credere to trust, loan, believe. See Creed .] 1. Reliance on the truth of something said or done; belief; faith; trust; confidence.

When Jonathan and the people heard these words they gave no credit into them, nor received them. 1 Macc. x. 46.

2. Reputation derived from the confidence of others; esteem; honor; good name; estimation.

John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown. Cowper.

3. A ground of, or title to, belief or confidence; authority derived from character or reputation.

The things which we properly believe, be only such as are received on the credit of divine testimony. Hooker.

4. That which tends to procure, or add to, reputation or esteem; an honor.

I published, because I was told I might please such as it was a credit to please. Pope.

5. Influence derived from the good opinion, confidence, or favor of others; interest.

Having credit enough with his master to provide for his own interest. Clarendon.

6. (Com.) Trust given or received; expectation of future playment for property transferred, or of fulfillment or promises given; mercantile reputation entitling one to be trusted; -- applied to individuals, corporations, communities, or nations; as, to buy goods on credit .

Credit is nothing but the expectation of money, within some limited time. Locke.

7. The time given for payment for lands or goods sold on trust; as, a long credit or a short credit .

8. (Bookkeeping) The side of an account on which are entered all items reckoned as values received from the party or the category named at the head of the account; also, any one, or the sum, of these items; -- the opposite of debit ; as, this sum is carried to one's credit , and that to his debit ; A has several credits on the books of B.

Bank credit , &or; Cash credit . See under Cash . -- Bill of credit . See under Bill . -- Letter of credit , a letter or notification addressed by a banker to his correspondent, informing him that the person named therein is entitled to draw a certain sum of money; when addressed to several different correspondents, or when the money can be drawn in fractional sums in several different places, it is called a circular letter of credit . -- Public credit . (a) The reputation of, or general confidence in, the ability or readiness of a government to fulfull its pecuniary engagements. (b) The ability and fidelity of merchants or others who owe largely in a community.

He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit , and it sprung upon its feet. D. Webster.

Credit <Xpage=342>

Cred"it (kr?d"?t) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Credited ; p. pr. & vb. n. Crediting .] 1. To confide in the truth of; to give credence to; to put trust in; to believe.

How shall they credit A poor unlearned virgin? Shak.

2. To bring honor or repute upon; to do credit to; to raise the estimation of.

You credit the church as much by your government as you did the school formerly by your wit. South.

3. (Bookkeeping) To enter upon the credit side of an account; to give credit for; as, to credit the amount paid ; to set to the credit of; as, to credit a man with the interest paid on a bond .

To credit with , to give credit for; to assign as justly due to any one.

Crove, Helmholtz, and Meyer, are more than any others to be credited with the clear enunciation of this doctrine. Newman.

Creditable <Xpage=342>

Cred"it*a*ble (-?-b'l) , a. 1. Worthy of belief. [Obs.]

Divers creditable witnesses deposed. Ludlow.

2. Deserving or possessing reputation or esteem; reputable; estimable.

This gentleman was born of creditable parents. Goldsmith.

3. Bringing credit, reputation, or honor; honorable; as, such conduct is highly creditable to him .

Macualay.

He settled him in a good creditable way of living. Arbuthnot.

Creditableness <Xpage=342>

Cred"it*a*ble*ness , n. The quality of being creditable.

Creditably <Xpage=342>

Cred"it*a*bly (-?-bl?) , adv. In a creditable manner; reputably; with credit.

Credit foncier <Xpage=342>

Cre`dit" fon`cier" (kr?d?" f?n`s??") . [F. cr<?/dit credit & foncier relating to land, landed.] A company licensed for the purpose of carrying out improvements, by means of loans and advances upon real securities. ] Credit mobilier <Xpage=342>

Cre`dit" mo`bi`lier" (m?`b?`ly?") . [F. cr<?/dit credit & mobilier personal, pertaining to personal property.] A joint stock company, formed for general banking business, or for the construction of public works, by means of loans on personal estate, after the manner of the cr\'82dit foncier on real estate. In practice, however, this distinction has not been strictly observed.

Creditor <Xpage=342>

Cred"it*or (kr?d"?t-?r) , n. [L.: cf. F. cr<?/diteur . See Credit .] 1. One who credits, believes, or trusts.

The easy creditors of novelties. Daniel.

2. One who gives credit in business matters; hence, one to whom money is due; -- correlative to debtor .

Creditors have better memories than debtors. Franklin.

Creditress krdt-rs, Creditrix <Xpage=342>

Cred"it*ress (kr?d"?t-r?s) , Cred"i*trix (kr?d"?-tr?ks) , n. [L. creditrix .] A female creditor.

Credo <Xpage=342>

Cre"do (kr?"d?) , n. [L. See Creed .] The creed, as sung or read in the Roman Catholic church.

He repeated Aves and Credos . Macualay.

Credulity <Xpage=342>

Cre*du"li*ty (kr?-d?"l?-t?) , n. [L. credulitas , fr. credulus : cf. F. cr<?/dulit<?/ . See Credulous .] Readiness of belief; a disposition to believe on slight evidence.

That implict credulity is the mark of a feeble mind will not be disputed. Sir W. Hamilton.

Credulous <Xpage=342>

Cred"u*lous (kr?d"?-l?s; 135) , a. [L. credulus , fr. credere . See Creed .] 1. Apt to believe on slight evidence; easly imposed upon; unsuspecting.

Landor.

Eve, our credulous mother. Milton.

2. Believed too readily. [Obs.]

Beau & Fl.

Credulously <Xpage=342>

Cred"u*lous*ly , adv. With credulity.

Credulousness <Xpage=342>

Cred"u*lous*ness , n. Readiness to believe on slight evidence; credulity.

Beyond all credulity is the credulousness of atheists. S. Clarke.

Creed <Xpage=342>

Creed (kr?d) , n. [OE. credo , crede , AS. creda , fr. L. credo I believe, at the beginning of the Apostles' creed, fr. credere to believe; akin to OIr. cretin I believe, and Skr. <?/raddadh<?/mi ; crat trust + dh<?/ to put. See Do , v. t. , and cf. Credo , Grant .] 1. A definite summary of what is believed; esp., a summary of the articles of Christian faith; a confession of faith for public use; esp., one which is brief and comprehensive.

In the Protestant system the creed is not co\'94rdinate with, but always subordinate to, the Bible. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

2. Any summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to.

I love him not, nor fear him; there's my creed . Shak.

Apostles' creed , Athanasian creed , Nicene creed . See under Apostle , Athanasian , Nicene .

Creed <Xpage=342>

Creed , v. t. To believe; to credit. [Obs.]

That part which is so creeded by the people. Milton.

Creedless <Xpage=342>

Creed"less , a. Without a creed.

Carlyle.

Creek <Xpage=342>

Creek (kr?k) , n. [AS. crecca ; akin to D. kreek , Icel. kriki crack, nook; cf. W. crig crack, crigyll ravine, creek. Cf. Crick , Crook .] 1. A small inlet or bay, narrower and extending further into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river.

Each creek and cavern of the dangerous shore. Cowper.

They discovered a certain creek , with a shore. Acts xxvii. 39.

2. A stream of water smaller than a river and larger than a brook.

Lesser streams and rivulets are denominated creeks . Goldsmith.

3. Any turn or winding.

The passages of alleys, creeks , and narrow lands. Shak.

Creekfish <Xpage=342>

Creek"fish (kr?k"f?sh) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The chub sucker.

Creeks <Xpage=342>

Creeks (kr?ks) , n. pl. ; sing. Creek . (Ethnol.) A tribe or confederacy of North American Indians, including the Muskogees, Seminoles, Uchees, and other subordinate tribes. They formerly inhabited Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

Creeky <Xpage=342>

Creek"y (kr?k"?) , a. Containing, or abounding in, creeks; characterized by creeks; like a creek; winding. "The creeky shore."

Spenser.

Creel <Xpage=342>

Creel (kr?l) , n. [Gael. craidhleag basket, creel.]

1. An osier basket, such as anglers use.

Sir W. Scott.

2. (Spinning) A bar or set of bars with skewers for holding paying-off bobbins, as in the roving machine, throstle, and mule.

Creep <Xpage=342>

Creep (kr?p) , v. t. [ imp. Crept (kr?pt) ( Crope (kr<?/p) , Obs .); p. p. Crept ; p. pr. & vb. n. Creeping .] [OE. crepen , creopen , AS. cre<?/pan ; akin to D. kruipen , G. kriechen , Icel. krjupa , Sw. krypa , Dan. krybe . Cf. Cripple , Crouch .] 1. To move along the ground, or on any other surface, on the belly, as a worm or reptile; to move as a child on the hands and knees; to crawl.

Ye that walk The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep . Milton.

2. To move slowly, feebly, or timorously, as from unwillingness, fear, or weakness.

The whining schoolboy . . . creeping , like snail, Unwillingly to school. Shak.

Like guilty thing, I creep . Tennyson.

3. To move in a stealthy or secret manner; to move imperceptibly or clandestinely; to steal in; to insinuate itself or one's self; as, age creeps upon us .

The sothistry which creeps into most of the books of argument. Locke.

Of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women. 2. Tim. iii. 6.

4. To slip, or to become slightly displaced; as, the collodion on a negative, or a coat of varnish, may creep in drying; the quicksilver on a mirror may creep .

5. To move or behave with servility or exaggerated humility; to fawn; as, a creeping sycophant .

To come as humbly as they used to creep . Shak.

6. To grow, as a vine, clinging to the ground or to some other support by means of roots or rootlets, or by tendrils, along its length. "Creeping vines."

Dryden.