persuasion

plural persuasions · alternative perswasion

1. countableuncountableThe 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.First known use 14th c.

   With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by persuasion or by pressure.

   2006, Rachel Morris, “Borderline Catastrophe”, in Washington Monthly, vol. 38:10

2. countableuncountableAn argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone.First known use 14th c.

   Not Hermes Prolocutor to the Gods, Could vſe perſwaſions more pathetical.

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii

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   Sadie curses, weeps, then, infected by Mr. Hamilton's writhing persuasions, prays and becomes penitent.

   1928 February 13, “The New Pictures”, in Time

   1. countableeuphemisticuncountableAll activity attempting to influence or control others' behavior or profession of beliefs, from convincing to threatening, assault, or battery.

      Some of the shopowners were resistant to the extortion, so the mafia did some persuasion.

3. countableuncountableA strongly held conviction, opinion or belief.First known use 16th c.

   It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.

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   Social understanding and equality can neither be nurtured through fear, nor intimidation. Surely this goes for people of all sexual persuasions.

   2010 February 6, “We don't need gay stereotypes”, in The Guardian

4. countableuncountableOne's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.First known use 16th c.
5. countableuncountableA specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology.First known use 17th c.

   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.

   2009, US Catholic (letter), May 2009

6. broadlycountablehumorousoftenuncountableAnother personal, animal or inanimate trait that is not (very) liable to be changed by persuasion, such as sex, gender, ethnicity, origin, profession or nature.

   This plainly implies that an equine animal either is of the feminine gender or is of the neuter persuasion.

   1967, Taxes. The Tax Magazine, volume 45, number 2, page 698

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   1871 February 14, J.J., "More Solution", Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star, page 105. Let us pray that the next generation be all of the male persuasion.

   To say that a woman is of the female persuasion was originally meant for a joke. As such it might pass — once. You might, indeed, refuse to smile; still, you wouldn't feel like invoking the law. But the constant and persistent use of this unfunny bit of fun has grown to be something of a public calamity. It is matter or congratulation, however, that such linguistic lese-majesty is far more common in England than in America.

   1890, The Illustrated American, volume 4, page 308

   AND turning for tor the moment from National to local affairs, we note there is a chimpanzee of the female persuasion out at Lincoln Park, of whom it is said that she can do everything but talk.

   1919, Pere Marquette Magazine, volume 11, page 19

   Being a discussion between a Swede and an Australian of the medical persuasion, conversation turned to Pehr Edman who, as a Swedish expatriate, spent many years in Australia heading up the School of Medical Research at St Vincent's Hospital.

   1984, The Medical Journal of Australia, page 739

   The moonlight was bright this night; playing the part of a miniature sun as it reflected off the white faces of the Caucasian troops, but failing to reveal those of the darker persuasion. "One thing, Charlie can see them better than he can see me."

   2005, Lawrence Thomason, All the Sparks Fly Up!, page 78