Conversion

[a. F. conversion, ad. L. conversiōn-em turning round, n. of action from convertĕre to turn round: see CONVERT.]

  I.  Turning in position, direction, destination.

  † 1.  The action of turning round or revolving; revolution, rotation. Obs.

1540–1.  Elyot, Image Gov. (1549), 68. Conuersions of sterres, mocions, and reuolucions of planettes.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, ix. 126. Were the World eternal, the Conuersions or turnings about therof should be eternal too.

1665–6.  Phil. Trans., I. 143. The conversion of Jupiter about his own axis.

1656.  trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 307. That strait line … which touches a spiral at the end of its first conversion.

1726.  trans. Gregory’s Astron., I. 139. In the conversion of the Body of the Sun, this Virtue thereof … is also turned about.

  b.  Center of conversion: see CENTER sb. 16.

  † 2.  The action of turning to a particular direction; turning. Obs.

1594.  Blundevil, Exerc., III. I. xx. (ed. 7). This Greeke word Tropos, which is … a conversion or turning.

1638.  Wilkins, New World, I. (1684), 50. Divers Conversions of those sides towards our Eyes.

1643.  Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., 111. The conversion of the needle to the North.

1660.  Boyle, Seraph. Love, xvi. (1700), 98. A Conversion to that Magnetic Posture.

  † b.  fig. The action of turning or directing (one’s mind, attention, actions, etc.) to some object. Obs.

1581.  J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 513 b. With such an unremoveable conversion of mynde to Godward.

1646.  Fuller, Wounded Consc. (1841), 291. Daily sin … is an aversion from God and his daily repentance a conversion to God.

1712.  Spect., No. 524, ¶ 5. An habitual inclination and conversion of his sight towards it.

  † 3.  The action of turning back or returning; spec. the turning back of the sun in its apparent course on reaching the tropic; the solstice. Obs.

1553.  Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 41. The sommer conuersion of the sunne.

1618.  Chapman, Hesiod, II. 162. If at the sun’s conversion thou shalt sow The sacred earth.

a. 1682.  Sir T. Browne, Tracts (1684), 3. The tropical conversion of the Sun.

  † b.  In versions of the O.T., rendering L. conversio. Obs.

1388.  Wyclif, Jer. xxxiii. 7. And y schal conuerte the conuersioun of Juda [1382 Turne the turnyng of Juda].

1609.  Bible (Douay), Jer. xxxiii. 26. I wil bring backe their conversion, and wil have mercie on them.

  4.  Transposition, inversion (of the terms of a statement; cf. CONVERSE sb.³ 1); spec. in Logic, the transposition of the subject and predicate of a proposition according to certain rules to form a new proposition by immediate inference.

  Conversion in which the quantity of the proposition is unchanged is called simple conversion (e.g., ‘No A is B’; ‘No B is A’); when there is a change of quantity, c. per accidens (e.g., ‘All A is B’; ‘Some B is A’). Cf. CONTRAPOSITION 2.

1551.  T. Wilson, Logike (1567), 20 b. Conuersion is the chaunging or altring of wordes in a proposicion, when the former parte (whereof any thing is rehearsed) and the hinder parte (whiche is rehearsed of the former) are chaunged, thone into thothers place.

1570.  Billingsley, Euclid, I. vi. 16. In Geometrie is oftentimes vsed conuersion of propositions.

1651.  Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., iv. § 14. 69. As the law of nature is all of it Divine, so the Law of Christ by conversion … is all of it also … the doctrine of Nature.

1788.  Reid, Aristotle’s Log., iv. § 1 (1806), 68, heading. Of the Conversion of Propositions.

1887.  Fowler, Deduct. Logic, 80. A Conversion may be defined as an immediate inference in which from one proposition we infer another having the same terms as the original proposition, but their order reversed.

  † 5.  Rhet. Used by 16th and 17th-c. writers as the equivalent of ANTISTROPHE 3, and sometimes of APOSTROPHE¹ 1. Obs.

1552.  Huloet, Conuersion, or speakynge one to another.

1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet., 107 b. Conversion is an ofte repeatyng of the last worde, and is contrarie to that whiche went before.

[1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 209. The Greekes call this figure Antistrophe, the Latines, conuersio, I following the originall call him the counterturne.]

1706.  Phillips (ed. Kersey), Conversion … a Rhetorical Figure, the same as Apostrophe.

1751.  Chambers, Cycl.

  6.  Math. The substitution of the difference of antecedent and consequent for the consequent in each of the ratios forming a proportion: see quots. ? Obs.

1570.  Billingsley, Euclid, V. Def. xvi. 134. Conuersion of proportion (which of the elders is commonly called euerse proportion).

1664.  Power, Exp. Philos., II. 130. So that here is now four Proportionals, and by any three given, you may strike out the fourth, by Conversion, Transposition, and Division of them.

1695.  Alingham, Geom. Epit., 19 If A : B :: C : D then by Conversion ’twill be as A : A – B :: C : C – D.

1796.  Hutton, Math. Dict., Conversion, or Convertendo, is when there are four proportionals, and it is inferred, that the first is to its excess above the 2d, as the third is to its excess above the 4th.

  7.  Law. The action of (illegally) converting or applying something to one’s own use. Usually in phr. trover and conversion.

1615.  Coke, in Bulstrode, Rep., II. (1657), 311–2. There may be a trover and no conversion, if he keep and lay up the goods, by him found, for the Owner.

1647.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. lxii. (1739), 121. Fraudulent conversion of Treasure-trove.

1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull (1727), 9. He talks of nothing but … writs of error, actions of trover and conversion.

1765.  Blackstone, Comm., III. 151–2. This action, of trover and conversion, was in it’s original an action … against such person as had found another’s goods, and refused to deliver them on demand, but converted them to his own use.

1817.  W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 1267. A person is guilty of a conversion who takes the property of one person by assignment from another, who has not any authority to dispose of it.

  II.  Change in character, nature, form, or function.

  8.  The bringing of any one over to a specified religious faith, profession, or party, esp. to one regarded as true, from what is regarded as falsehood or error. (Without qualification, usually = conversion to Christianity.)

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 19477, heading (Fairf.), Of the Conuersioun of saint Paule.

1413.  Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, III. x. (1483), 56. Paynyms and heretikes that ben dede withouten conuersion.

1555.  Eden, Decades, Pref. (Arb.), 50, marg. The conuersion of the gentyles.

1685.  Stillingfl., Orig. Brit., I. i. 2. The Conversion of the British Nation, to the Christian Faith.

1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), IV. 427. At the conversion of the late count Ernest Metternich to the catholic religion.

1890.  Bp. Stubbs, Primary Charge (Oxford), 31. She is the Church of the National History, of the Conversion, the Constitution, the Reformation.

  b.  The festival of the Conversion of St. Paul, observed on Jan. 25.

1382–8.  Wyclif, N. T., Table of Lessons, 691 (Propre Sanctorum) Jan., Seynt Vincent, martir, Conuersioun of Seynt Poul.

1501.  Chron. Grey Friars (Rolls), II. 184. On Sent Powlles evyn the Conversioun.

  † c.  spec. In the mediæval church: Change from the secular to the ‘religious’ life; entry into monastic life. Obs. (See Du Cange, conversio.)

c. 1340.  Hampole, Prose Tr. (1866), 5. When I had taken my syngulere purpos and lefte þe seculere habyte … it fell one a nyghte … in the begynnynge of my conuersyone, [etc.].

1482.  Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 19. There was a certen yong man, turnyd … fro thys worldys vanyte to the lyfe of a Monke, the whiche abowte the begynnyng of his conuersion fyll yn to a grete and a greuys sekenes.

  d.  transf. The action of converting or fact of being converted, to some opinion, belief, party, etc.

Mod.  Conversion to Free Trade principles, to Darwinism, etc.

  9.  Theol. The turning of sinners to God; a spiritual change from sinfulness, ungodliness, or worldliness to love of God and pursuit of holiness.

a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, xvii. 53. In conuersyon of synful men.

c. 1430.  trans. Th. à Kempis Imit., I. xiii. Somme men haue most greuous temptacions in þe begynnyng of her conuersion, somme in þe ende.

1592.  Greene, Disput., 38. See how God wrought for my conuersion.

1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 724. And to them preachd Conversion and Repentance.

1740.  Wesley, Wks. (1872), I. 279. The very beginning of your conversion to God.

1758.  S. Hayward, Serm., Introd. 15. Labours in the conversion of souls.

1834.  J. Angell James, Anxious Enquirer (ed. 2), vi. 74–5. The first error … is to mistake knowledge, impression, and partial reformation, for genuine conversion.

Mod.  Few conversions occurred under his ministry.

  † 10.  A change in the constitution of a state; a revolution. Obs. rare.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, II. V. iii. § 12. 416. In such Cases, especially where God intendeth a great conuersion of Empire. Ibid. (a. 1618), Maxims St. (1651), 49. The ruin of many Tyrants, and conversion of their States.

  11.  The action of turning, or process of being turned, into or to something else; change of form or properties, alteration.

1549.  (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Athan. Creed. Not by conuersion of the Godhead into flesh.

1555.  Eden, Decades, 8.4. The conuersion or turnynge of ayer into water.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 82. Artificiall Conuersion of Water into Ice, is the worke of a few Houres.

1731.  Arbuthnot, Aliments, ii. vii. 44. The Conversion of the Aliment into Fat is not properly Nutrition.

1849.  Murchison, Siluria, xiv. 354. The conversion of sedimentary Silurian Strata into crystalline rocks.

  b.  Change of condition or function. (Const. into.)

1660.  Hickeringill, Jamaica (1661), 36. If cut through from Sea to Sea … This Isthmus would lose it’s name in an Island; And the conversion conduce much to its security.

1833.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., III. 128. A conversion of a large tract of sea into land.

1870.  H. Macmillan, Bible Teach., Pref. 14. The conversion of the thorny wilderness into the fertile meadow.

  12.  Hence, many technical uses in Manuf.

  a.  Steel Manuf. The process of changing iron into steel. Cf. CONVERT v. 12 a, CONVERTER 3 b.

1837.  Whittock, Bk. Trades (1842), 225. The steel employed for files requires to be very hard, and in consequence undergoes a longer process in the conversion. It is said to be doubly converted.

1875.  Ure, Dict. Arts, III. 899. The carbonisation or conversion is effected, as it were, in layers.

  b.  Ship-building. (a) Reduction of timber from the rough state into pieces of nearly the required shape and size. (b) Change of a vessel from one class to another.

c. 1850.  Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 111. Conversion. The art of lining and moulding timber, plank, &c. with the least possible waste.

1859.  Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., II. xcii. 72. Expenditure in the construction and conversion of Her Majesty’s ships.

1865.  Dockyard Accts. (Blue Bk. 8. 465–1). The cost of rough timber is proportionately less than that of sided timber, and compensates for the greater loss to which it is subject in conversion.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Conversion, reducing a vessel by a deck, thereby converting a line-of-battle ship into a frigate, or a crank three-decker into a good two-decker.

  c.  Fire-arms. The process of changing a muzzle-loader into a breech-loader, or the like.

1874.  Knight, Dict. Mech., s.v. Converting, The cost of conversion is about 15s. for each rifle.

  d.  Watch-making. (See CONVERT v. 12 d.)

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 67. The operation of converting [a watch] is spoken of as making a conversion.

  † 13.  Mil. An evolution by which files were converted into ranks, or smaller ranks into larger; a change of front to a flank. Obs.

1635.  Barriffe, Mil. Discipl., xxxi. (1661), 38. Inversion doth alwayes produce file or files; and Conversion, rank or ranks.

1650.  R. Elton, Mil. Art (1668), 32. My subject in this Chapter shall be of Ranks filing, and Files filing, and Ranks ranking, and Files ranking, which are by some called Inversion and Conversion.

1678.  A. Lovell, trans. Fontaine’s Mil. Duties Cavalry, 9. Wheeling by conversion is performed by the front of the squadron, so that it is the rank and not the file which makes the motion.

1751.  Chambers, Cycl., Conversion, in war, is when the soldiers are ordered to present their arms to the enemy who attack them in flank, whereas they were before supposed to be in front: the evolution necessary thereto is called conversion, or quarter-wheeling.

1863.  Kinglake, Crimea (1877), I. xiv. 279. By a movement in the nature of that which tacticians describe as ‘conversion,’ a column of men facing eastward … was suddenly formed into an order of battle fronting southward.

  III.  Change by substitution of an equivalent in purport or value.

  † 14.  Translation into another language (or into a different literary form); usually concr., a translation, version. Obs.

1586.  W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 55. Abraham Flemming in his conuersion of the Eglogues, promised to translate and publishe [the Georgics].

c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, To Rdr. 117. And see that my conversion much abates The license they take.

1653.  Walton, Angler, i. 7. I have taken a little pleasant pains to make such a conversion of it [this Epigram] as may make it the fitter for all of that Fraternity [Scoffers].

  15.  Math. Change of a number or quantity into another denomination; reduction. † Conversion of equations: reduction of fractional equations to integral by multiplication (obs.).

1557.  Recorde, Whetst., Z j. Any of them maie be diuided by conuersion into a fraction.

1706.  Phillips (ed. Kersey), Conversion of Equations (in Algebra).

Mod.  The conversion of vulgar fractions into decimals, and vice versâ.

  16.  Substitution of or exchange for something else; esp. of one kind of property for another. spec. The change of an issue of public securities, of bonds, debentures, stocks, shares, etc., into another of different character, or with an altered (generally reduced) rate of interest. Also attrib., as in conversion scheme, operation, etc.

1607.  Norden, Surv. Dial., 35. Neyther theyr infranchisements, nor the conversion of works into rents doe so farre free them, but that they still owe services.

1776.  Adam Smith, W. N., I. I. xi. III. 192. The price at which payment in kind was exchanged for a certain sum of money, is in Scotland called the conversion price.

1826.  T. Tooke, State of Currency, 69. The conversion of the four per cents. into three and a half per cents. was facilitated by the bank undertaking to advance to government between five and six millions of the four per cents., to be repaid out of the sinkingfund.

1887.  Pall Mall G., 1 Nov., 12/1. A Five per Cent. Portuguese Conversion Loan for over a million sterling.

  b.  spec. in Law. The operation of changing the nature of property.

  (a)  from real to personal or vice versâ.

  ‘Actual conversion is the act of converting land or other property into money by selling it, or of converting money into land by buying land with it … Constructive conversion is a fictitious conversion, which is assumed in certain cases to have taken place in order to carry out the intention of the parties’ (Sweet, Law Dict., 1882).

1788.  J. Powell, Devises (1827), II. 60. Money considered as land, and vice versâ. What amounts to such a conversion.

1849.  G. Spence, Equit. Jurisd. Crt. Chanc., II. 235. The conversion will operate only so far as the will disposes of the land into which it is to be converted.

1890.  Partnership Act, § 22 (marg. note). Conversion into personal estate of land held as partnership property.

Mod.  The will contains usual trusts for sale and conversion.

  (b)  as between partners, from partnership to separate property or vice versâ. Cf. CONVERT 15.

1819.  Sir T. Plumer, in Swanston, Rep., II. 584. Where there is a conversion of joint property by a valid act, it is a fallacy to consider it still joint.

1888.  Sir N. Lindley, Partnership (ed. 5), 335. A conversion of joint into separate property, or vice versâ, most frequently takes place when a firm and one of its partners carry on distinct trades.

  IV.  attrib. and Comb. (in senses 8, 9).

1678.  Yng. Man’s Call., 109. He takes up his bible, and often reads the father’s conversion-scripture, praying the Lord that it may prove his also.

1827.  Edin. Rev., XLVI. 389. [They] convert their halls into conventicles and conversion-shops.

  Hence Conversional, Conversionary adjs., of or relating to conversion (senses 8, 9); † Conversioner, a writer on conversion; Conversionist, one who advocates or devotes himself to the religious conversion of others; so Conversionism. (All more or less nonce-wds.).

1844.  Democratic Free Press (Detroit), 9 Dec., 3/2. He [O’Connell] is a man of superior conversional powers.

1847.  Bushnell, Chr. Nurt., II. vii. (1861), 382. This rough sea of conversional tossings.

1827.  Bp. Jebb, Life & Lett., lxxxvi. 672. Wholly unconnected with societies, or with conversionary movements.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., I. i. § 7. The Conversioner mainly stickleth for the Apostle Peter to have first preached the Gospel here.

1838.  Morn. Chron., 6 Feb., 3/4. The choice of the 8th feel upon half Conversionists and half anti-Conversionists; so that the result as yet is not in favour of the opposition.

1887.  H. Adler, in Papers Anglo-Jewish Hist. Exhibit., 278. The aged R. Aaron Hart, with whom Mr. Goldney, the zealous conversionist, held several disputations.

1889.  Pall Mall G., 6 June, 3. The class from whom the professional conversionist draws his candidates for salvation.