noun

conviction

guilty verdict, firm belief

He has a previous conviction for theft.

He has a previous conviction for theft.

She spoke with great conviction.

She spoke with great conviction.

((a conviction for sth.)) a legal judgment for a crime. He has a conviction for robbery.

((to speak with conviction)) to speak with strong belief. The leader spoke with great conviction.

Synonyms: (legal) sentence, judgment; (belief) belief, faith. Antonyms: (legal) acquittal; (belief) doubt.

From Latin 'convictionem', from 'convincere' (to overcome). It means both being 'overcome' by evidence (legal) and being 'overcome' by a belief.

You can have a 'conviction' (belief) that leads to a 'conviction' (guilty verdict) if you act on it illegally.

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