'conviction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'convictio,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'vincere' meant 'to conquer.'

'convictio' transformed into the Old French word 'conviction,' and eventually became the modern English word 'conviction' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'the act of proving or finding guilty,' but over time it evolved to also mean 'a firmly held belief or opinion.'