Giving a title to credit or confidence.
noun.
That which gives credit; that which gives a title or claim to confidence.
noun.
plural Evidences of right to credence or authority; specifically, letters of credence; testimonials given to a person as the warrant on which belief, credit, or authority is claimed for him, as the letters of commendation and authorization given by a government to an ambassador or envoy, which procure for him recognition and credit at a foreign court, or the certificate and other papers showing the appointment or election of an officer.