What does "credence" refer to?

The term "credence" refers to belief in or acceptance of something as true. It is often used in contexts where one's trust or confidence in the truth of statements, ideas, or theories is being assessed. The word comes from the Latin "credere," which means "to believe." Thus, when someone is said to give credence to a claim, they are essentially acknowledging its validity or likelihood of being true.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of the term. For instance, a rejection of beliefs symbolizes skepticism or doubt, which is the opposite of what credence implies. Similarly, a false notion represents an incorrect idea, while an unverified theory suggests a lack of acceptance due to insufficient evidence, neither of which align with the concept of having belief or acceptance in something. Therefore, option B accurately encapsulates the meaning of "credence."