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

With few exceptions, they have gone along, refusing to convict him in two impeachment trials and, even after he was convicted of 34 felonies, helping him win a second term in the White House as he plowed through a Republican primary and general election after falsely denying his 2020 loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Brown’s call to police and his testimony helped lead a jury to convict Buck of luring young, Black men into his West Hollywood apartment for nearly a decade for “party and play” sessions that involved sex and heavy drug use.

From Los Angeles Times

For a hot second, there was a realistic chance that the Senate might convict him on impeachment articles.

From Slate

Warren is correct to point out that the failure to charge and convict the high-level executives who oversee wrongdoing, often over a period of years, is a major contributor to the persistence of corporate white collar crime.

From Los Angeles Times

Gascón also noted jurors still remain hesitant to convict police, and sometimes plea deals are the best way to attain some measure of accountability.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• condemn
• imprison
• sentence