2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Persuasion  \Per*sua"sion\,  n.  [L.  persuasio;  Cf  F.  persuasion.] 
  1.  The  act  of  persuading;  the  act  of  influencing  the  mind  by 
  arguments  or  reasons  offered,  or  by  anything  that  moves 
  the  mind  or  passions,  or  inclines  the  will  to  a 
  determination. 
 
  For  thou  hast  all  the  arts  of  fine  persuasion. 
  --Otway. 
 
  2.  The  state  of  being  persuaded  or  convinced;  settled  opinion 
  or  conviction,  which  has  been  induced. 
 
  If  the  general  persuasion  of  all  men  does  so  account 
  it  --Hooker. 
 
  My  firm  persuasion  is  at  least  sometimes  That 
  Heaven  will  weigh  man's  virtues  and  his  crimes  With 
  nice  attention.  --Cowper. 
 
  3.  A  creed  or  belief;  a  sect  or  party  adhering  to  a  certain 
  creed  or  system  of  opinions;  as  of  the  same  persuasion; 
  all  persuasions  are  agreed. 
 
  Of  whatever  state  or  persuasion,  religious  or 
  political.  --Jefferson. 
 
  4.  The  power  or  quality  of  persuading;  persuasiveness. 
 
  Is  't  possible  that  my  deserts  to  you  Can  lack 
  persuasion?  --Shak. 
 
  5.  That  which  persuades;  a  persuasive.  [R.] 
 
  Syn:  See  {Conviction}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  persuasion 
  n  1:  the  act  of  persuading  (or  attempting  to  persuade)  [syn:  {suasion}] 
  2:  a  personal  belief  that  is  not  founded  on  proof  or  certainty; 
  "my  opinion  differs  from  yours";  "what  are  your  thoughts 
  on  Haiti?"  [syn:  {opinion},  {sentiment},  {view},  {thought}] 
  3:  inducement  by  argument  or  reasoning  or  entreaty  [ant:  {dissuasion}] 
  4:  changing  a  person's  beliefs  by  argument  or  reasoning  or 
  entreaty 

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