\Con*vic"tion\, 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.
         The greater certainty of conviction and the greater
         certainty of punishment.              --Hallam.
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.
         Conviction may accrue two ways.       --Blackstone.
3. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the
   admission of a truth; confutation.
         For all his tedious talk is but vain boast, Or
         subtle shifts conviction to evade.    --Milton.
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.
         To call good evil, and evil good, against the
         conviction of their own consciences.  --Swift.
         And did you presently fall under the power of this
         conviction?                           --Bunyan.
Syn: {Conviction}; {persuasion}.
Usage: 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.