- Conviction
- Conviction Con*vic"tion (k[o^]n*v[i^]k"sh[u^]n), n. [L.
convictio proof: cf. F. conviction conviction (in sense 3 &
4). See {Convict}, {Convince}.]
1. The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or
adjudging, guilty of an offense.
[1913 Webster]
The greater certainty of conviction and the greater certainty of punishment. --Hallam. [1913 Webster]
2. (Law) A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal. [1913 Webster]
Conviction may accrue two ways. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
3. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation. [1913 Webster]
For all his tedious talk is but vain boast, Or subtle shifts conviction to evade. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
4. The state of being convinced or convicted; strong persuasion or belief; especially, the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience. [1913 Webster]
To call good evil, and evil good, against the conviction of their own consciences. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction? --Bunyan.
Syn: {Conviction}; {persuasion}.
Usage: Conviction respects soley matters of belief or faith; persuasion respects matters of belief or practice. Conviction respects our most important duties; persuasion is frequently applied to matters of indifference. --Crabb. -- Conviction is the result of the [operation of the] understanding; persuasion, of the will. Conviction is a necessity of the mind, persuasion an acquiescence of the inclination. --C. J. Smith. -- Persuasion often induces men to act in opposition to their conviction of duty. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.