convict

[ verb adjective kuhn-vikt; noun kon-vikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to prove or declare guilty of an offense, especially after a legal trial:

   to convict a prisoner of a felony.

2. to impress with a sense of guilt.

noun

1. a person proved or declared guilty of an offense.
2. a person serving a prison sentence.

adjective

1. Archaic. convicted.

convict

verb

1. to pronounce (someone) guilty of an offence

noun

1. a person found guilty of an offence against the law, esp one who is sentenced to imprisonment
2. a person serving a prison sentence

adjective

1. obsolete.
   convicted

Derived Forms

• conˈvictable, adjective

Other Words From

• con·vict·a·ble con·vict·i·ble adjective
• con·vic·tive adjective
• con·vic·tive·ly adverb
• pre·con·vict verb (used with object)
• re·con·vict verb (used with object)
• un·con·vict·ing adjective
• un·con·vic·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convict¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb convicten, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere, equivalent to con- “with, together” + vic-, variant stem of vincere “to overcome” + -tus past participle suffix; Middle English noun convict “(a) convict,” adjective convict “convicted,” past participle of convicten “to convince” (or directly from Latin ); con-, convince

Word History and Origins

Origin of convict¹

C14: from Latin convictus convicted of crime, from convincere to prove guilty, convince

Example Sentences

He was convicted of war crimes relating to the use of children in that country's conflict and sentenced in July to 14 years.

From BBC

Smollett, who is black and gay, was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021.

From BBC

She will be defending a convicted felon who cares about no one but himself.

From Salon

The 70-year-old was convicted last year of seven federal corruption charges stemming from a scheme to secure benefits for his son from a USC social work dean who sought his political support for L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith was convicted of murder, but under South Carolina law at the time she was eligible for a parole hearing every two years after serving 30 years in prison.

From BBC

Related Words

• condemn
• imprison
• sentence