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Re: believe in?

MorphemeAddict ([email protected])

• From: [email protected]
• Subject: Re: believe in?
• Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:21:22 EDT

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In a message dated 10/23/2005 9:37:01 PM Central Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:


> So I know that {Har} means "believe",
> but how would I say that I "believe in (something)"?
> i.e. Christ, magic, fairies *clap clap*
> 
> ~naHQun
> 

I could find only one canon instance of {Har}:
{qaHarbe'; bo'Dagh'a' Dalo'}    
I don't believe you; you're using a big scoop | I don't believe you; You're 
exaggerating (idiom)  [KGT p125]

This usage matches "believe" vt 1a below.

"believe in" can be "believe" vi 1a, 1b, 3 below.

Paraphrase (or "recast").
What does "believe in X" mean?  (Or what do you believe when you believe in 
something?)
For starters, it can mean "believe that X exists", if X is God, magic, 
fairies. (vi. 1a below)
It can also mean "believe that X is good or will do the right thing" (vi. 3 
below)
When it means 'accept', it can be translated as {laj}, a recent KWOTD. (vi. 
1b below)

I think {laj} (accept) can work for "believe in".

lay'tel SIvten


Webster's Third New International Dictionary:
believe vi 
1a : to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion - 
usually used with *in* <*believe* in the Scriptures> and sometimes with *on* <and 
many *believed* on him there - Jn 10:42(AV)> 
b : to receive in faith or trust : ACCEPT <a story that divided the audience 
into those who *believed* and those who didn't> - often used with *in* <serfs 
incapable of *believing* in the sincerity of a master who desired to help them 
- E.J. Simmons> <because of its sincerity ... this is the kind of play one 
would like to *believe* in - *Punch*> 
2 *obs* to give credence : TRUST - used with *to* <*believe* to your own 
virtues> 
3 : to have a firm conviction as to the beneficial, genuine, or good quality 
of something - used with *in* <*believe* in physical culture> 
4 : THINK, SUPPOSE <inclined to *believe* in accordance with her husband> 

1a is incomplete and doesn't tell us anything about the conviction or 
persuasion.

believe vt 
1 a : to take (a statement or person making a statement) as true, valid, or 
honest : give credence to <*believe* the reports> 
b: to accept or receive as genuine, valid, or good <a bland assumption that 
all scientists ... decide and publish what science *believes* - R.M. Weaver> 
2 *obs* : to assume the existence of as true or valid <*believe* a God> 
3 : to be of the opinion : SUPPOSE, SUSPECT. <*believe* it will rain> <the 
dye is *believed* to be a complex acid>

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