credenza

belief

noun kreh-DEN-tsah Rare

Origin: From Medieval Latin credentia, from credere (to believe).

Also means

sideboard

Usage Note

Credenza has two distinct meanings in Italian: a belief or conviction (una credenza popolare — a folk belief), and a piece of furniture — a sideboard or dresser (la credenza in cucina — the kitchen sideboard). Both are feminine and share the same form. Context always disambiguates; learners must know both senses.

Examples

"La credenza in salotto è molto antica."

Natural Translation

The sideboard in the living room is very old.

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