persuasion

English

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Alternative forms

  • perswasion (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle French persuasion and its source, Latin persuasio, from persuadere, from suadere (“to advise, recommend”).

Pronunciation

Noun

persuasion (plural persuasions)

  1. The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc. [from 14th c.]
    • 2006, Rachel Morris, "Borderline Catastrophe", Washington Monthly, vol. 38:10:
      With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by persuasion or by pressure.
  2. An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone. [from 14th c.]
    • 1928, "The New Pictures", Time, 13 Feb 1928:
      Sadie curses, weeps, then, infected by Mr. Hamilton's writhing persuasions, prays and becomes penitent.
  3. A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief. [from 16th c.]
    It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
  4. One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness. [from 16th c.]
  5. A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology. [from 17th c.]
    • 2009, US Catholic (letter), May 2009:
      As a convert from the Baptist persuasion more than 40 years ago, I still feel like an outsider in the church despite the kindness and acceptance of Catholic friends.
  6. (colloquial) Any group having a specified characteristic or attribute in common. [from 19th c.]
    • 2010, "We don't need gay stereotypes", The Guardian, 6 Feb 2010:
      Social understanding and equality can neither be nurtured through fear, nor intimidation. Surely this goes for people of all sexual persuasions.

Antonyms

Translations

the act of persuading
a strongly held conviction, opinion or belief
one's power of persuading
a sort, type, or kind with respect to convictions and beliefs
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Translations to be checked

Derived terms

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French

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /pɛʁ.sɥa.zjɔ̃/, X-SAMPA: /pER.sHa.zjO~/

Etymology

From Latin persuasio, from persuadere, from suadere, "to advise", "to recommend".

Noun

persuasion f (plural persuasions)

  1. persuasion
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Last modified on 27 April 2013, at 01:08