Officially recognized as meeting certain standards or having proper authority and credentials.
From Latin 'accreditus', from 'ad-' (to) + 'credere' (to believe, trust). Originally meant 'given credence to' or 'trusted with authority', particularly for diplomatic representatives.
University accreditation is a uniquely American system that began in the 1800s to ensure quality education. Unlike many countries where the government directly controls educational standards, the US uses independent accrediting bodies, creating a complex web of quality assurance.
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