Etymology : Latin convincere to refute, convict, prove, from com- + vincere to conquer; more at VICTOR
Pronunciation : k&n-vin(t)s
Function : transitive verb
Date : 1530
1. persuade, convict, influence. convince\con*vince"\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. convinced ; p. pr. & vb. n. convincing.] [l. convincere, -victum, to refute, prove; con- + vincere to conquer. see:
victor, and cf. convict.].
2. to overpower; to overcome; to subdue or master. [obs.] his two chamberlains will i with wine and wassail so convince that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume.
3. to overcome by argument; to force to yield assent to truth; to satisfy by proof. such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
4. to confute; to prove the fallacy of. [obs.] god never wrought miracle to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.
5. to prove guilty; to convict. [obs.] which of you convinceth me of sin?.
6. seek not to convince me of a crime which i can ne'er repent, nor you can pardon.
7. To overpower; to overcome; to subdue or master.
8. To overcome by argument; to force to yield assent to truth; to satisfy by proof.
9. To confute; to prove the fallacy of.
10. To prove guilty; to convict.
11. 1. If someone or something convinces you of something, they make you believe that it is true or that it exists. Although I soon convinced him of my innocence, I think he still has serious doubts about my sanity The waste disposal industry is finding it difficult to convince the public that its operations are safe.
12. If someone or something convinces you to do something, they persuade you to do it. That weekend in Plattsburgh, he convinced her to go ahead and marry Bud. = persuade.