-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

93 / 371

noun

conviction

A firmly held belief or strong certainty that something is true.

She speaks with conviction about the project.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+victLatinconquer, overcome, or prevail

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Latin con- and vincere express thoroughly overcoming. In a firm belief, doubt or resistance has been overcome, leaving the person with strong certainty about the matter.

More examples

His religious convictions shaped his choices.
They shared a conviction that change was possible.
He lacked conviction in his own argument.

Forms

conviction · convictions

convinced adjective — firmly believing something

Similar words

belief: Something accepted as true.
certainty: Freedom from doubt.