noun

1. a brief statement of religious belief; confession of faith
2. a specific statement of this kind, accepted by a church
3. any set of beliefs or principles

Etymology: ME crede < OE creda < L credo, lit., I believe (< credere, to trust, believe < IE *kred-dhē-, to attribute magic power to, believe < base *red-, magic power of a thing + *dhē-, to place, do