persuasive, a. and n.
(pəˈsweɪsɪv)
Also 7–8 persw-.
[ad. med. Scholastic L. persuāsīv-us, f. L. persuās-, ppl. stem: see persuasible and -ive. Cf. F. persuasif, -ive (15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.; in Cotgr.), perh. the immediate source.]
A. adj. Having the power of persuading; tending or fitted to persuade; winning.
| 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 22 With such perswasiue arguments Democles appeased the distressed thoughtes of his doubtful countrimen. a 1639 Spottiswood Hist. Ch. Scot. (1677) 385 A most persuasive Preacher. 1718 Pope Iliad xiv. 251 Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke, and eloquence of eyes. 1814 Cary Dante's Inf. ii. 66 Thy eloquent persuasive tongue. 1884 W. J. Courthope Addison v. 97 The most powerful and persuasive advocate of Virtue in fiction. |
B. n. Something adapted or intended to persuade; a motive or inducement presented.
| 1641 T. Warmstry Blind Guide Forsaken 45 A strong perswasive to carry us along to the throne of grace. 1680 Allen (title) A Perswasive to Peace and Unity among Christians. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 175 ¶2 What are treatises of morality, but persuasives to the practice of duties? 1855 Prescott Philip II, I. i. iii. 40 Persuasives in the form of gold chains, gold crowns and other compliments. |