conviction

Noun

Synonyms: strong belief article of faith judgment of conviction condemnation sentence

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidenceSynonyms: strong belief article of faith
(criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed“the conviction came as no surprise”Synonyms: judgment of conviction condemnation sentence

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]