credential

cre·den·tial  (kr-dnshl)

n.

1. That which entitles one to confidence, credit, or authority.

2. credentials Evidence or testimonials concerning one's right to credit, confidence, or authority: The new ambassador presented her credentials to the president.

tr.v. cre·den·tialed, cre·den·tial·ing, cre·den·tials Usage Problem

To supply with credentials: "trained, professional, credentialed child care" (Lee Salk).

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[From Medieval Latin crdentilis, giving authority, from crdentia, trust; see credence.]

Usage Note: The use of the participle credentialed to refer to certified teachers and other professionals is well established (She became credentialed through a graduate program at a local college), but its more general use to mean "possessing professional or expert credentials" is still widely considered jargon. The sentence The board heard testimony from a number of credentialed witnesses was unacceptable to 85 percent of the Usage Panel.

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credential [krɪˈdɛnʃəl]

n

1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc.

2. (plural) a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence

adj

entitling one to confidence, authority, etc.

[from Medieval Latin crēdentia credit, trust; see credence]

credentialed  adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

credential - a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts certificate, credentials, certification document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature) certificate of incorporation - state approval of the articles of incorporation of a corporation birth certificate - a copy of the official document giving details of a person's birth diploma, sheepskin - a document certifying the successful completion of a course of study military commission, commission - an official document issued by a government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces bill of health - a certificate saying that a departing ship's company is healthy (to be presented at the next port of arrival) registration - a document certifying an act of registering teacher's certificate, teaching certificate - a certificate saying that the holder is qualified to teach in the public schools probate, probate will - a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and conferring on the executors the power to administer the estate