conversion (konvershon)

[F. conversion = Pr. conversio = Sp. conversion = Pg. conversão = It. con vers i one, The conversion of arable land into pasture, which was the chief agrarian grievance, was much more universal among Catholics than among Protestants. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., xvi. Specifically-2. In logic, that immediate inference which transforms a proposition into another whose subject-term is the predicate term, and whose predicate-term the subject term, of the former. Simple, proper, or direct conversion is that in which the quantity and quality of the propositions remain unchanged: as, No good man is un happy; hence (by conversion), No unhappy man is good. Conversion per accidens (by accident) is that in which the quality of the first proposition is unchanged while its quantity is changed: as, All cockatrices are non-existent; hence (by conversion), Some non-existent things are cock a trices. Conversion by contraposition is where the quantity and quality are preserved, but the terms are infinitated: as, Some Chinamen are not honest; hence, Some non honest persons are not non-Chinamen. The traditional rules of conversion are embodied in the verses, Simpliciter feci , convertitur eva per acc i, Astro per contra, sicut conversio tot a, where the vowels of feci, eva, astro, show the kinds of propositions which can be converted in the three ways. (See 41, 2 (b).) A diminute conversion is a conversion of a proposition such that the consequent a erts le than the antecedent: as, All lawyers are honest, and therefore some honest men are lawyers. An improper or reductive conversion is a conversion per accidens or by contraposition. A universal conversion is an inference by conversion whose conclusion is a universal proposition; a partial con version, one whose conclusion is a particular proposition. [The Latin conversio was first used in this sense by Appuleius to translate Aristotle's ἀντιστροφή.] 3. In theol., a radical and complete change, sudden or gradual, in the spirit, purpose, and direction of the life, from one of self-seeking and enmity toward God to one of love toward God and man. The secund, the sonday after the fest of the conuersioun of seynte Poule. English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 52. If we look through all the examples we have of conver sion in Scripture, the conversion of the Apostle Paul and the Corinthians, and all others the apostles write to, how far were they from this gradual way of conversion by contracted habits, and by such culture as Turn bull speaks of! Edwards , Works, II. 548. 4. Change from one religion to another, or from one side or party to another, especially from one that is regarded as false to one that is regarded as true. They pa ed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of Gentiles. Acts That conversion will be suspected that apparently concurs with interest. Johnson, 5. Milit.: (a) A change of front, as of a body of troops attacked in flank. ( b ) The application of condemned stores to uses other than that originally intended. - 6. In ordnance, the alteration of a smooth-bore gun into a rifled gun by inserting a lining-tube of wrought-iron or steel. 7. In law: (a) An unauthorized a umption and exercise of the right of ownership over personal property belonging to another in hostility to his rights; an act of dominion over the personal property of another inconsistent with his rights; unauthorized appropriation. (b) A change from realty into personalty, or vice vers a. See equitable conversion, under equitable.--8. Naut., the reduction of a ve el by one deck, so as to convert a line-of-battle ship into a frigate, or a crank parts.Conversion of equations, in alg., the reduction of equations by multiplication, or the manner of altering an equation when the quantity sought, or any member of it, is a fraction; the reducing of a fractional equation into an integral one. - Conversion of proportions, in math., is when of four proportionals it is inferred that the first is to its exce above the second as the third to its exce above the fourth; and the four terms when thus arranged are said to be proportionals by conversion. - Conversion of relief, a pseudoscopic effect by which an alto-rilievo is changed to a ba o-rilievo, and conversely: first used by Wheat stone. By simply cro ing the pictures in the stereoscope, so as to bring before each eye the picture taken for the other, a conversion of relief is produced in the resulting solid image. W. B. Carpenter, Micros., § 31. Conversion of St. Paul, a festival of the Roman Catholic and of the Anglican Church, observed on the 25th of January, in commemoration of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, as related in the ninth chapter of Acts. =Syn. 3. person ern at i on ary action the individual in of turning from sin to seek the pardon and grace of God, while regeneration is employed to expre the divine act exerted by the Spirit of God on the soul of man. But this distinction is by no means always observed even in theological writings, and the two terms are often used synonymously. He oft IMG:content-1226.png:[blocks in formation] Not by works of righteousne which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of re generation and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Tit. iii. 5. conversivel (kon-ver's iv), a. [L. con versus, pp. of convert ere , turn round (see convert , v .), + -ive .] Capable of being converted or changed; convertible. [Rare or obsolete.] conversive2 (kon-ver's iv), a . [ converse1 + -ive .] Conversable; social. [Rare or obsolete.] To be rude or foolish is the badge of a weak mind, and of one deficient in the conversive quality of man. Feltham, Resolves, ii. 75.