Reading Theme:
Convict: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：declare guilty (convict)
convict
/kənˈvɪkt/ (verb), /ˈkɒnvɪkt/ (noun)
vt.
To officially decide and state in court that someone is guilty of a crime, usually after a trial.
declare guilty
➕
/dɪˈkleər ˈɡɪlti/
vt.
To formally pronounce someone guilty of a crime in a court of law after a trial.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'convictus' (con- + vincere 'conquer'), meaning to prove guilty.
💡 Mnemonic
Con[with] + vict[victory] = The law wins a victory over the accused, making them a convict.
📖 Example
Despite the lack of physical evidence, the jury decided to convict the accused based on the digital footprint he left online.
Despite the lack of physical evidence, the jury decided to convict the accused based on the digital footprint he left online.
🔗 Collocations
convict someone of a crime – to declare someone guilty for a specific crime
convict on evidence – to find guilty based on presented evidence
convict a defendant – to pronounce a defendant guilty
🔄 Synonyms
find guilty (phrase) – to reach a verdict that someone is guilty
pronounce guilty (phrase) – to officially state someone's guilt in court
condemn (vt.) – to declare someone guilty, often with a strong moral judgment
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
conviction (n.) – the state of being found guilty
convicted (adj.) – found guilty of a crime
convictive (adj.) – serving to convict or prove guilt
📖 Cultural Story
Originally from Latin 'convincere' (to overcome, prove), it evolved in legal English to mean 'declare guilty after trial'. A common scene is in courtrooms worldwide.
Meaning 2：a convicted person (convict)
convict
/kənˈvɪkt/ (verb), /ˈkɒnvɪkt/ (noun)
vt.
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a prison sentence.
a convicted person
➕
/ə kənˈvɪktɪd ˈpɜːrsən/
vt.
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a prison sentence.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The history teacher showed the class old photos to discuss how society's treatment of a convict has changed over the centuries.
The history teacher showed the class old photos to discuss how society's treatment of a convict has changed over the centuries.
🔗 Collocations
former convict – someone who was previously convicted and has served their sentence
convict labor – work done by prisoners as part of their punishment
escaped convict – a convict who has fled from custody
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
free person (n.) – someone who is not imprisoned or under legal restraint
innocent (n./adj.) – a person who has not committed a crime
acquitted person (n.) – someone who has been declared not guilty by a court
🌱 Derivatives
conviction (n.) – the state of being convicted
convicted (adj.) – having been found guilty
unconvicted (adj.) – not found guilty
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser