credenza
pronunciation
How to pronounce credenza in British English:
UK [krɪ'denzə]
How to pronounce credenza in American English:
US [krɪ'denzə]
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- Noun:
- a kind of sideboard or buffet
Word Origin
- credenza (n.)
- 1883, "an Italian sideboard," from Italian credenza, literally "belief, credit," from Medieval Latin credentia (see credence). The same evolution that produced this sense in Italian also worked on the English word credence, which in Middle English also meant "act or process of testing the nature or character of food before serving it as a precaution against poison," a former practice in some royal or noble households. Because of that, in medieval times it also meant "a side-table or side-board on which the food was placed to be tasted before serving;" hence, in later use, "a cupboard or cabinet for the display of plate, etc." These senses fell away in English, and the modern furniture piece, which begins to be mentioned in domestic interiors from c. 1920, took its name from Italian, perhaps as a more elegant word than homely sideboard.
Example
- 1. You know what credenza means ?
- 2. Inside were a comfy couch and easy chairs , a tall fabric houseplant in a corner , and a large high-definition television set atop a credenza .
- 3. Turkish designer fevzi karaman is developing an apple-green credenza that opens up to reveal a kitchen sink , a stove top , even a trash can .