Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-VICT', v.t. [L. convinco, convictum; con and vinco, to vanquish or subdue; Sp. convencer; It. convincere; Fr. convaincre. See Convince. The verb vinco is allied to vincio, to bind, the primary sense of which is to strain, force, make fast; hence to subdue; and as n appears to be casual, the root is Vg or Vc.]

1. To determine the truth of a charge against one; to prove or find guilty of a crime charged; to determine or decide to be guilty, as by the verdict of a jury, by confession, or other legal decision. The jury contracted the prisoner of felony.
2. To convince of sin; to prove or determine to be guilty, as by the conscience. They who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one. – John viii.
3. To confute; to prove or show to be false. [Obs.] Brown.
4. To show by proof or evidence. [Obs.] – Hooker.