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convictio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word convictio

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Latin convictio
English conviction

convictio1 companionship

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (vīvō)

Forms

convīctiō f (genitive convīctiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

This noun is from convīvō “to live together” with the suffix -tiō, modelled on ⟨convīvor⟩ “to feast together”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Cicero's son calls a friend's company iūcundissima.[3][4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant living with someone, social intercourse, intimacy, and by metonymy a companion, as in Cicero's letter to his brother.[2][5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[3][5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Companionship, intimacy.[2]
  2. A companion.[2]

convictio2 proof

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Augustine
Ultimate origin
Latin (vincō)

Forms

convīctiō f (genitive convīctiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

This noun is from convincō “to prove, convict” with the suffix -tiō.[4][5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Augustine, whom he dates 354–430 AD, and Augustine has convictiō rērum “demonstration of things”.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant demonstration, convincing proof.[4][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for a jury's finding, a verdict, a finding of guilt, and a fine.[7] It gave English conviction in the mid-15th century, “the finding of guilt of an offence charged”.[6]

Timeline

  • 354–430 AD – Augustine uses it.[3][4]
  • mid-15th century – English conviction is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Proof, demonstration.[4]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A verdict; conviction.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d e f Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press

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Cite this entry

“Convictio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/convictio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·