*conviction*

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. -- 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 ]