Con*ver"sion (?), n. [L.
conversio: cf. F. conversion. See Convert.]
1. The act of turning or changing from one
state or condition to another, or the state of being changed;
transmutation; change.
Artificial conversion of water into
ice.
Bacon.
The conversion of the aliment into fat.
Arbuthnot.
2. The act of changing one's views or
course, as in passing from one side, party, or from of religion
to another; also, the state of being so changed.
"Conversion to Christianity." Prescott.
3. (Law) An appropriation of, and
dealing with the property of another as if it were one's own,
without right; as, the conversion of a horse.
Or bring my action of conversion
And trover for my goods.
Hudibras.
4. (Logic) The act of
interchanging the terms of a proposition, as by putting the
subject in the place of the predicate, or the contrary.
5. (Math.) A change or reduction
of the form or value of a proposition; as, the conversion
of equations; the conversion of proportions.
6. (Mil.) (a) A
change of front, as a body of troops attacked in the flank.
(b) A change of character or use, as of
smoothbore guns into rifles.
7. (Theol.) A spiritual and moral
change attending a change of belief with conviction; a change of
heart; a change from the service of the world to the service of
God; a change of the ruling disposition of the soul, involving a
transformation of the outward life.
He oft
Frequented their assemblies, . . . and to them preached
Conversion and repentance, as to souls
In prison under judgments imminent.
Milton.
