a. [f. L. crēdul-us F. crédule) + -OUS.]
1. Ready or disposed to believe. (Now rare exc. as in 2.)
1579. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 86. Beinge over credulous to beleeve whatsoever is unadvisedly committid to writinge.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. ii. 69. If he be credulous, and trust my tale.
1605. Bp. Hall, Medit. & Vows, II. 15. Not a curious head, but a credulous and plaine heart is accepted with God.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1698), I. xiii. 364. I … advised him not to be too credulous of the Generals promises.
[1839. Longf., Flowers, xv. With childlike credulous affection.
1859. Tennyson, Idylls, Geraint & Enid, 1723. Like simple noble natures, credulous Of what they long for, good in friend or foe.]
2. Over-ready to believe; apt to believe on weak or insufficient grounds.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 216. Bee not credulous … and light of beleefe.
1604. Shaks., Oth., IV. i. 46. Thus credulous Fooles are caught.
1687. T. Brown, Saints in Uproar, Wks. 1730, I. 81. Seven as arrant imposters as ever deluded the credulous world.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, XVI. 1030. And with vain words the credulous beguiled.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. ii. 111. An ignorant and therefore a credulous age.
1876. J. H. Newman, Hist. Sk., I. III. iv. 322. Well known to be of a credulous turn of mind.
b. transf. Of things, etc.: Characterized by or arising from credulity.
1648. Milton, Tenure Kings, Wks. 1738. I. 323. That credulous Peace which the French Protestants made with Charles the Ninth.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., III. X. 190. The credulous superstition of the people.
1871. Farrar, Witn. Hist., ii. 57. Credulous exaggerations.
† c. Believed too readily. Obs. rare.
a. 1625. Beaumont & Fl., Faithf. Friends, IV. i. ’Twas he possessed me with your credulous death.
