verb / noun
convict
kuhn-VIKT/kˈɑnvɪkt/
To establish someone's criminal guilt in court.
The jury convicts the defendant after reviewing the evidence.
Etymology
“Conquering” here meant overcoming someone in argument, with com- perhaps adding emphasis. From proving wrongdoing, convict came to name the person found guilty.
In context
You don't have any rights unless I give 'em to you, convict. Make no mistake. No one gives a fuck about you or anyone else in this shit hole. - I just wanna do my time.
More examples
- She was convicted of fraud last year.
- There isn't enough evidence to convict him.
- The program helps former convicts find jobs after prison.
Forms
convict · convicts · convicted · convicting
conviction noun — A formal finding of criminal guilt.
Similar words
- find guilty
- Expresses the same legal decision in more everyday language.
- prisoner
- Emphasizes confinement rather than a court's finding of guilt.