dissuade Meaning, Definition & Usage

Dis*suade" transitive verb

Etymology

L. dissuadere, dissuasum; dis- + suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. dissuader. See Suasion.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Dissuaded; present participle & verbal noun Dissuading

Definitions

1. To advise or exhort against; to try to persuade (one from a course). Obsolescent

   Mr. Burchell, on the contrary, dissuaded her with great ardor: and I stood neuter. Goldsmith.

   War, therefore, open or concealed, alike My voice dissuades. Milton.

2. To divert by persuasion; to turn from a purpose by reasons or motives; -- with from; as, I could not dissuade him from his purpose.

   I have tried what is possible to dissuade him. Mad. D' Arblay.