convict
UK: /kənˈvɪkt/ | US: /kənˈvɪkt/
n. a person found guilty of a criminal offense
vt. to declare someone guilty of a crime in a court of law
convict = con<together, thoroughly> + vict<overcome>
- con: A Latin prefix meaning "together" or "thoroughly," often intensifying the root's meaning.
- vict: Derived from Latin vincere ("to conquer" or "overcome"), appearing in words like victory and convince.
Etymology Origin:
The word convict originates from Latin convictus, the past participle of convincere ("to prove guilty" or "overcome decisively"). The prefix con- emphasizes the completeness of the action, while vict reflects the idea of overcoming or defeating—here, in a legal sense. Over time, convict evolved from "proven guilty" to its modern meanings as both a verb (to declare guilt) and a noun (a guilty person).
The jury voted to convict the defendant of fraud.
After years of appeals, he remained a convicted felon.
The evidence was insufficient to convict her.
Many convicts struggle to reintegrate into society after prison.
The judge refused to convict without concrete proof.