资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Faith \Faith\, n. [OE. feith, fayth, fay, OF. feid, feit, fei,
   F. foi, fr. L. fides; akin to fidere to trust, Gr. ??????? to
   persuade. The ending th is perhaps due to the influence of
   such words as truth, health, wealth. See {Bid}, {Bide}, and
   cf. {Confide}, {Defy}, {Fealty}.]
   1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is
      declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his
      authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.

   2. The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of
      another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he
      utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of
      any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth.

            Faith, that is, fidelity, -- the fealty of the
            finite will and understanding to the reason.
                                                  --Coleridge.

   3. (Theol.)
      (a) The belief in the historic truthfulness of the
          Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of
          its teachings, sometimes called historical and
          speculative faith.
      (b) The belief in the facts and truth of the Scriptures,
          with a practical love of them; especially, that
          confiding and affectionate belief in the person and
          work of Christ, which affects the character and life,
          and makes a man a true Christian, -- called a
          practical, evangelical, or saving faith.

                Without faith it is impossible to please him
                [God].                            --Heb. xi. 6.

                The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the
                mind which is called ``trust'' or ``confidence''
                exercised toward the moral character of God, and
                particularly of the Savior.       --Dr. T.
                                                  Dwight.

                Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence
                in the testimony of God.          --J. Hawes.

   4. That which is believed on any subject, whether in science,
      politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of
      religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan
      faith; and especially, the system of truth taught by
      Christ; as, the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief
      of a Christian society or church.

            Which to believe of her, Must be a faith that reason
            without miracle Could never plant in me. --Shak.

            Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
                                                  --Gal. i. 23.

   5. Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a
      person honored and beloved; loyalty.

            Children in whom is no faith.         --Deut. xxvii.
                                                  20.

            Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I
            should conceal.                       --Milton.

   6. Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he
      violated his faith.

            For you alone I broke me faith with injured Palamon.
                                                  --Dryden.

   7. Credibility or truth. [R.]

            The faith of the foregoing narrative. --Mitford.

   {Act of faith}. See {Auto-da-f['e]}.

   {Breach of faith}, {Confession of faith}, etc. See under
      {Breach}, {Confession}, etc.

   {Faith cure}, a method or practice of treating diseases by
      prayer and the exercise of faith in God.

   {In good faith}, with perfect sincerity.