convince
verbUS, UK /kənˈvɪns/ · NZ /kənˈvəns/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin convincō (“to refute, prove”), from con- + vincō (“to conquer, vanquish”). Doublet of convict. Displaced native Old English oferreċċan.
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.
- Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.1718, Francis Atterbury, sermon preached on Easter Day at Westminster Abbey:
2
To persuade.
3
Obsolete To overcome, conquer, vanquish.
- […]his two Chamberlaines / Will I with Wine, and Waſſell, ſo conuince, / That Memorie, the Warder of the Braine, / Shall be a Fume,[…]c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vii], page 135:
4
Acting, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Film, Lifestyle, Media, Television, Theater To behave believably in a role; to make someone perceive oneself as the character being portrayed.
5
Obsolete To confute; to prove wrong.
- For hee mightily conuinced the Iewes, and that publikely, shewing by the scriptures, that Iesus was Christ.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 18:28:
- And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Atheisme. XVI.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 90:
6
Obsolete To prove guilty; to convict.
- Which of you conuinceth mee of ſinne?1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 8:46, column 1:
- O ſeek not to convince me of a Crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor can you pardon.1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, Act II, page 18:
- Derived terms
- convinceable, convincement, convincer, unconvince
- Related terms
- convict, conviction, convincible, convincingly, reconvince