Beliefs
/bɪˈliːfs/noun
Plural of belief: acceptance that something is true or exists, often without proof.
Did you know?Belief ultimately descends from the Germanic idea of holding something “dear” or “precious,” which is why faith-language in English can feel so personal and powerful.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*ga-laubjaną
“to hold dear, trust”
Old English
OE
lēfan
“to allow, grant; to make dear or acceptable”
Old English
OE
ġelēafa
“belief, faith, trust”
Middle English
ME
beleve
“belief, trust, faith”
Modern English
English
belief
“acceptance that something is true or real, often without proof”