Convincement

/kənˈvɪnsmənt/ noun

Definition

The act or process of convincing someone, or the state of being convinced of something.

Etymology

From convince (from Latin convincere, 'to overcome, refute') plus the suffix -ment, which forms nouns denoting action or result. The Latin roots com- (with) and vincere (to conquer) literally meant 'to conquer with,' evolving to mean proving someone wrong or persuading them.

Kelly Says

The word convincement is rarely used today—we say 'convincing' instead—but it reminds us that older English loved turning verbs into nouns with -ment (like 'amazement' and 'betterment'). This suffix was a favorite tool for creating abstract nouns in Middle English.

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