late 12c  bileave  replacing Old English geleafa "belief  faith " from West Germanic *ga-laubon "to hold dear  esteem  trust" (cf Old Saxon gilobo  Middle Dutch gelove  Old High German giloubo  German Glaube)  from *galaub- "dear  esteemed " from intensive prefix *ga- + *leubh- "to care  desire  like  love" (see love (v