Webster's English Dictionary

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believe

be.lieve \b*-'le-v\ vb [ME beleven, fr. OE bele-fan, fr. be- + ly-fan, 
   (Xle-fan to allow, believe; akin to OHG gilouben to bejieve, OE le-of dear 
   - more at LOVE 1: to have a firm religious faith  2: to have a firm 
   conviction as to the reality or goodness of something  3: THINK, SUPPOSE  
   1: to take as true or honest {~ the reports}  2: to hold as an opinion : 
   SUPPOSE  - be.liev.er n