I. kənˈvikt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin convictus
archaic : convicted
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English convicten, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere to convict, prove — more at convince
1.
a. : to find or declare guilty of an offense or crime by the verdict or decision of a court or other authority
he was tried, convicted, and fined $50
b. : to show or prove to be guilty of something blamable (as wrong or error)
their writings convict them of an ignorance of history
2.
a. obsolete : to demonstrate by proof or evidence : prove
b. : to convince of error or sinfulness
convict us of sin
c. archaic : to prove to be false or in the wrong : refute
III. ˈkänˌv- noun
( -s )
Etymology: convict (I)
1. : a person pronounced guilty by a competent tribunal of a criminal offense ; especially : a person convicted of and under sentence for a felony or serious crime
convicts transported to the colonies for life
2. : a person serving a prison sentence usually for a long term
convict labor
convict uniforms
3. or convict fish
[so called from the resemblance of their striped skin to the traditionally striped garb of convicts]
: any of various striped or barred fishes
Synonyms: see criminal