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believer

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be⋅lieve

  [bi-leev] verb, -lieved, -liev⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
–verb (used with object)
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation: The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.
5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually fol. by a noun clause): I believe that he has left town.
—Verb phrase
6. believe in,
a. to be persuaded of the truth or existence of: to believe in Zoroastrianism; to believe in ghosts.
b. to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of: I can help only if you believe in me.
—Idiom
7. make believe. make (def. 46).
Use believer in a Sentence
Origin:
1150–1200; ME bileven, equiv. to bi- be- + leven, OE (Anglian) gelēfan (c. D gelooven, G glauben, Goth galaubjan)

Related forms:
be⋅liev⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, be⋅liev⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
be⋅liev⋅a⋅ble, adjective
be⋅liev⋅a⋅bly, adverb
be⋅liev⋅er, noun
be⋅liev⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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be·lieve   (bĭ-lēv')   
v.   be·lieved, be·liev·ing, be·lieves

v.   tr.

  1. To accept as true or real: Do you believe the news stories?

  2. To credit with veracity: I believe you.

  3. To expect or suppose; think: I believe they will arrive shortly.

v.   intr.

  1. To have firm faith, especially religious faith.

  2. To have faith, confidence, or trust: I believe in your ability to solve the problem.

  3. To have confidence in the truth or value of something: We believe in free speech.

  4. To have an opinion; think: They have already left, I believe.


[Middle English bileven, from Old English belȳfan, belēfan, gelēfan; see leubh- in Indo-European roots.]
be·liev'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

believe 
O.E. belyfan, earlier geleafa (Mercian), gelefa (Northumbrian), gelyfan (W.Saxon) "believe," from P.Gmc. *ga-laubjan "hold dear, love," from PIE base *leubh- "to like, desire" (see love). Spelling beleeve is common till 17c.; then altered perhaps by influence of relieve. As a synonym for "Christian," believer is attested from 1549. To believe on instead of in was more common in 16c. but now is a peculiarity of theology; believe of also sometimes was used in 17c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: be·lieve
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: be·lieved; be·liev·ing
: to consider to be true or honest
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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