Fellure though takes a far stricter line on the consumption of alcohol, believing it is explicitly forbidden in the Bible.
They practiced ceremonial cannibalism, believing the hearts of their victims would imbue them with power.
It's with independents that confidence is most lacking, with only 43 percent believing the U.S. military is number one.
The kooky poet was rarely taken seriously except by this group of followers and his believing wife, Catherine Boucher.
Even the quack doctor, Dr. Gopalarajan, derives a real glimmer of joy from believing he has “helped, not harmed” a fellow being.
That they are the children of believing, sanctified parents; 2.
Paul bowed, not believing a word of this philanthropic speech.
Well, I have reasons for believing that he is not so great an enemy as he appears to be.
He got upon his feet and I saw that he was angry, believing that I had wantonly offended him.
That, believing her to be a woman, I must hope to find her a woman!
Old English belyfan "to believe," earlier geleafa (Mercian), gelefa (Northumbrian), gelyfan (West Saxon) "believe," from Proto-Germanic *ga-laubjan "to believe," perhaps literally "hold dear, love" (cf. Old Saxon gilobian "believe," Dutch geloven, Old High German gilouben, German glauben), ultimately a compound based on PIE *leubh- "to care, desire, love" (see belief).
Spelling beleeve is common till 17c.; then altered, perhaps by influence of relieve, etc. 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. Related: Believed (formerly occasionally beleft); believing. Expression believe it or not attested by 1874; Robert Ripley's newspaper cartoon of the same name is from 1918. Emphatic you better believe attested from 1854.
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