conviction English · revision 7493

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-15th century|origins=la convinco}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈvɪkʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English conviccioun,^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la-lat|convictio|t=proof, refutation]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|convinco|alt=convincere|t=to overcome decisively]] (see [[convince]], [[convict]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from com-, perhaps intensive, and [[m|la|vinco|alt=vincere|t=to conquer]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The proving or finding of guilt of an offence: mid-15th century in Etymonline, 1491 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Proof and confutation are obsolete senses of 1594 and 1646.^(OED 1989) Bringing a person to recognize a truth is from 1664,^(OED 1989) and in a religious sense, an awakening of the conscience, from the 1670s.^(Etymonline) The mental state of being convinced is from 1699 (1690s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and a firm belief held as proven from 1841.^(Etymonline) ''To carry conviction'' is from 1817.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-15th century – finding of guilt.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1594 – confutation (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1670s – awakening of conscience.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1699 – being convinced.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1841 – a firm belief.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A judgment by a [[jury]] or judge that a person is [[guilty]] of a crime.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of [[convince|alt=convincing]], or the state of being convinced.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A fixed or strong [[belief]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[convictional]]

+ * [[nonconviction]]

+ * [[preconviction]]

+ * [[reconviction]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[convict]]

+ * [[convince]]

+ * [[victor]]

+ * [[victory]]

+ * [[vanquish]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}