convince

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Borrowed from Latin convincō (I refute, prove), from con- + vincō (I conquer, vanquish). Doublet of convict. Displaced native Old English oferreċċan.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

convince (third-person singular simple present convinces, present participle convincing, simple past and past participle convinced)

  1. To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
    I wouldn't have or do something, unless I'm convinced that it's good.
  2. To persuade.
  3. (obsolete, transitive) To overcome, conquer, vanquish.
  4. (obsolete, transitive) To confute; to prove wrong.
    • 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Atheisme. XVI.”, in The Essayes [], 3rd edition, London: [] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 90:
      And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.
  5. (obsolete, transitive) To prove guilty; to convict.

Synonyms

[edit]

Derived terms

[edit]
[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Italian

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

convince

  1. third-person singular present indicative of convincere

Latin

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

convince

  1. second-person singular present active imperative of convincō

Piedmontese

[edit]

Pronunciation

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

convince

  1. to convince
[edit]