Definition: a long, substantial, rectangular piece of furniture, consisting of a flat table surface above and cupboard below, sitting on very short legs, or sometimes none; originating in 15th-century Italy (credenza is Italian for "cupboard"), possibly in churches, it quickly became a popular item for service of food and storage for tableware and linens; by the 1500s, a recessed upper section was also common; original Renaissance pieces typically boasted pilasters or caryatids, cornices and elaborate carvings, but even as its style evolved to fit contemporary furniture trends, it remained an ornate piece - especially in the mid-19th century, when it experienced a surge of popularity among Victorian and Second Empire furniture-makers (though almost more as a decorative, rather than highly functional, article - see photo, More Images)
Pronunciation: kree-den-zah
Also Known As: buffet, sideboard
Example: Since credenzas were usually meant to be placed against a wall, their backs are often flat and quite plain, in contrast to their lavishly decorated fronts.