Persuasion
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /pəˈsweɪʒ(ə)n/
- US IPA: /pɚˈsweɪʒən/
Alternative forms
- perswasion obsolete
Origin
From Middle French persuasion and its source, Latin persuasio, from persuadere, from suadere ("to advise, recommend").
Full definition of persuasion
Noun
persuasion
(plural persuasions)- 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.
- 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.
- A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief. from 16th c.It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
- One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness. from 16th c.
- 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.
- (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.