convince etymology

Etymology

The word "convince" originates from the Latin verb "convincere," which means "to overpower completely, defeat, convict."

Meaning

To convince means to persuade someone of the truth or correctness of an idea or proposition by providing evidence or logical arguments that overcome their doubts or objections.

Origin

The word "convincere" is derived from two Latin elements:

• "Com-" (with): Prefixed to verbs to denote completeness or intensity.
• "vincere" (to conquer): Meaning "to overcome, defeat, or vanquish."

Thus, "convincere" literally means "to conquer completely," implying that convincing someone involves overpowering their previous beliefs or reservations.

Historical Usage

The concept of convincing has been central to human communication for centuries. In ancient Greek philosophy, Socrates used the method of elenchus to convince his opponents of the falsity of their beliefs by exposing their logical contradictions.

In Roman law, "convincere" was a legal term used to refer to the process of proving a defendant's guilt in a trial.

Over time, the meaning of "convince" has evolved to encompass a broader range of contexts, including persuasive speech, argumentation, and marketing.

convince relate terms

• unconvinced

  Etymology Un prefix meaning not or opposite of Convinced verb meaning t

• convince

  Etymology The word convince originates from the Latin verb convincere which means t

• convict

  Etymology The word convict is derived from the Latin word convictus which means con

• convince

  Etymology The word convince originates from the Latin verb convincere which means t

• evict

  Etymology The word evict originates from the Latin word ēvicō which means to rem

• evince

  Etymology Latin ēvincō meaning to prove to show clearly Formed from ē out

• invictus

  Etymology Latin invictus meaning unconquered Meaning Unconquered Undefeated Inv

• invincible

  Etymology The word invincible comes from the Latin word invictus which means unconq

• Ordovician

  Etymology Ordovician is derived from the Latin name Ordovicus which was given to th

• province

  Etymology The word province comes from the Old French word province which in turn d

• vanquish

  Etymology Vanquish comes from the Old French word vanquir which in turn is derived f

• victor

  Etymology The name Victor is derived from the Latin word victor which means victor

• victory

  Etymology Middle English victorie from Anglo Norman victorie from Old French vittorie

• Vincent

  Etymology The name Vincent derives from the Latin name Vincentius which is the prese

• vincible

  Etymology Vincible is derived from the Latin word vincibilis which means capable o

• convert

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their meanings It involves

• convict

  Etymology The word convict is derived from the Latin word convictus which means con

• force

  Etymology The word force originates from the Latin word fortis which means strong

• persuasion

  Etymology Latin persuadere to persuade convince induce Proto Indo European per

• authority

  Etymology The word authority comes from the Latin word auctoritas which means inf

• prove

  Etymology Origin Greek Meaning true word Meaning Noun The study of the histor

• beauty

  Etymology The word beauty originates from the Old French word beauté which in turn

• disarm

  Etymology Old French desarmer Middle English disarmen Latin disarmare meaning to r