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

Majors was convicted last December of assault and harassment but also acquitted of an additional assault charge and aggravated harassment.

From Los Angeles Times

The May 2024 convictions in his New York case marked the first time that an former president has been convicted of a felony.

From Salon

In May, she told Fox News a "tremendous amount of trust" was lost in the justice system after Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in his historic criminal trial.

From BBC

If convicted as charged, Gutierrez-Ochoa faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison on the drug distribution conspiracy charge.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• condemn
• imprison
• sentence