(一般作credentials)
1- a qualification, achievement, personal quality, or aspect of a person's background, typically when used to indicate that they are suitable for something资质：
recruitment is based mainly on academic credentials.
招聘主要依据学历。
1.1
- a document or certificate proving a person's identity or qualifications（证明身份或资格的）证件。
1.2
- a letter of introduction given by a government to an ambassador before a new posting（政府为新任大使提供的）国书。
词源
late Middle English:from medieval Latin credentialis, from credentia （see CREDENCE）. The original use was as an adjective in the sense 'giving credence to, recommending', frequently in credential letters or papers, hence credentials （mid 17th cent.）.