Also Also 4 -sioun, -cioun, 4–7 -syon, 5 -syoun, -cyon, 5–6 -cion, 6 Sc. -sione. [a. F. conclusion, ad. L. conclūsiōnem, n. of action from conclūdĕre to CONCLUDE.]
1. The end, close, finish, termination, ‘wind up’ (e.g., of a speech or writing). (See also 4.)
1382. Wyclif, Ezek. vii. 23. Mak thou conclusioun, or ende.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), Introd. 7. To drawe to a conclusyoun Of thys long tale.
1535. Coverdale, Eccles. x. 14. Who wyl then warne him to make a conclucion?
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl. (1675), 70. I … begin to be weary of writing. I think it high time to hasten to a conclusion.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 207, ¶ 10. The conclusion falls below the vigour and spirit of the first books.
1832. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), II. 56. When the excess of mouths above employment shall bring the felicity to a conclusion.
1881. J. Russell, Haigs, 13. The conclusion is written on the back of the title-page.
2. An issue, final result, outcome, upshot.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, I. 103. With swich conclusioun As had of his avisioun Cresus … That high upon a gebet dyde!
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 37. Whan thou shalt begynne eny werke, pray god of helpe to bringe yt to a good conclusion.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 679. All their long studies and forecastes were brought to none effect or conclusion.
1635. R. Bolton, Comf. Affl. Consc., ix. 45. What will be the conclusion of all this?
1643. Burroughes, Exp. Hosea, xvii. (1652), 442. I am afraid he will cast me off in the conclusion.
1777. Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 202. The intelligence … received, is not of the conclusion of this unhappy affair, though that conclusion is no ways doubted.
3. Phrases. a. In conclusion: † (a) in the end, at last; (b) to conclude or sum up, finally; also (formerly) in short. Also † at c., for c., upon c. (obs.).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pard. Prol., 126. Herkneth, lordynges, in conclusioun, Youre likyng is that I schal telle a tale.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 65. For conclusyon her … euelle dedes passed the good.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., II. xxxvii. 27. In conclucyon he was deuouryd … of the sayd monstre.
1514. Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm., p. lviii. Suche loue ofte proueth faynte at conclusion.
1550. Nicolls, Thucyd., 82 (R.). And for conclusyon it is a thynge impossyble.
c. 1550. Wife in Morelles Skin, 591, in Hazl., E. P. P., IV. 204. At shorte conclusyon, they went their way.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., II. i. 90. In conclusion, I stand affected to her.
a. 1714. Burnet, Own Time (1823), I. 465. He changed sides so often, that in conclusion no side trusted him.
1845. Bright, Sp. Game Laws, 26 March. I will say, in conclusion, that I am delighted with this meeting.
4. The last part or section of a speech or writing, in which the main points are summed up.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 161. This is my conclusion, To clerkes lete I al this disputison.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 4 b. The conclusion is a clarkely gatherynge of the matter spoken before, and a lappyng up of it altogether.
1611. Bible, Eccl. xii. 13. Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter: Feare God, and keepe his commandements.
a. 1713. Sharp, Wks., I. ix. (R.). A text … that I … leave with you … as the sum and conclusion of my preaching.
† b. A compendious or inclusive statement or description. Obs. rare.
1450–1530. Myrr. our Ladye, 60. All that god asketh of man, ys conteyned vnder one conclusyon of Charite.
1493. Petronilla, 12. She was … for short conclusion Called the clere myrroure of all perfection.
c. Gram. The concluding or consequent clause of a conditional sentence; the apodosis.
5. A judgment or statement arrived at by any reasoning process; an inference, deduction, induction.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 23705 Title (Fairf.), A predicacioun wiþ þe conclusioun þer-a-pon.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, IV. 68. Er they come to þe clos a-combrid þey were, Þat þei þe conclucioun þan constrewe ne couþe.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, I. i. 9. Last of all is put the conclusion, which is inferred and proued by the demonstration.
1665. Glanvill, Sceps. Sci., xiii. 72. The third Act [of Intellection] is that which connects propositions and deduceth conclusions from them.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. vi. Wks. 1874, I. 118. People fancy they can draw contradictory conclusions from the idea of infinity.
1760. Goldsm., Cit. W., ix. Forming conclusions which the next minute’s experience may probably destroy.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. i. 239. More like a fairy tale than the sober conclusions of science.
1865. Bright, Sp. Canada, 23 March. We must then come to this inevitable conclusion.
1887. Times, 9 Dec., 10/2. He jumped to a conclusion that was utterly baseless.
b. Logic. A proposition deduced by reasoning from previous propositions; spec. the last of the three propositions forming a syllogism, deduced from the two former or premisses.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, III. v. (1860), G vj. The conclucions and the sophysms of logique.
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet (1844), 14. Drawing all the lines of Martin into sillogismes, euerie conclusion beeing this ‘Ergo Martin is to bee hangd.’
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 26. Where I thinke is all the Premises, A Foole sayd it, must needs be the Conclusion.
1716. Addison, Free-holder, No. 32, ¶ 3. He informed us with some Heat, she granted him both the Major and the Minor, but deny’d him the Conclusion.
1887. Fowler, Deduct. Logic, iii. 96. If either of the premisses be negative, the conclusion must be negative.
c. The action of concluding or inferring. rare.
1532. Thynne, Chaucer’s Wks., Ded. In whose [Chaucer’s] workes is … suche sharpnesse or quycknesse in conclusyon.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. xv. 28. Your Wife Octauia, with her modest eyes, And still Conclusion, shall acquire no Honour Demuring vpon me.
1635. Barriffe, Mil. Discipl., ii. (1661), 4. The censure of some … that they will find more Postures of the Pike here then formerly they knew of, and so by their conclusion more then there is any need of.
† 6. With the notion of ‘inference’ obscured or lost: A proposition, dictum, dogma, tenet. Obs.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 205. Unto this conclusion, That tiranny is to despise, I finde ensample in sondry wise.
1395. Oath of Recant., in Academy, 17 Nov. (1883), 331/1. Þat I … ne defende [no] conclusions ne techynges of the lollardes.
1477. Caxton, Dictes, Epil. 146. In the dyctes and sayengys of Socrates … my saide lord hath left out certayn … conclusions towchyng women.
1554. Latimer, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., III. App. xxxiv. 91. Thus, lo! I have written an answer to your conclusions.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), 116. Having handled these ten Principal Conclusions.
† 7. Something propounded for solution or mathematical demonstration; a proposition, problem.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., Prol. 1. I purpose to teche the a certein nombre of conclusions apertenyng to the same instrument. Ibid., II. § 1. Her bygynnen the conclusions of the Astrelabie. 1. To fynde the degree in which the sonne is day by day, after hir cours a-bowte.
1551. Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., I. xxvii. So that the circle is iustely made in the triangle, as the conclusion did purporte.
1663. J. Rollock, in Marq. Worcester’s Cent. Inv., Exact Def., 8. Several … rare, useful, and never formerly heard of Mathematical Conclusions.
† b. A problem, riddle, enigma. Obs.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 146. To sete some conclusion, Which shulde be confusion Unto this knight.
1608. Shaks., Per., I. i. 56. Read the conclusion, then … He reads the riddle.
† 8. An experiment. Obs. exc. as in b.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. ii. This conclusyon He may not scape for fauour ne for mede.
1519. Interl. Four Elements, in Hazl., Dodsley, I. 39. This proveth … That the earth must needs round be: This conclusion doth it try.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., II. (title), Diuerse chimicall conclusions concerning … Distillation.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., V. ii. 358. She hath pursu’de Conclusions infinite Of easie wayes to dye.
1624. Bacon, New Atlantis (Bohn), 299. We practise likewise all conclusions of grafting … as well of wild trees as fruit-trees.
1670. Walton, Lives, II. 127. Some part of most days was usually spent in Philosophical Conclusions.
b. To try conclusions (also, formerly † to prove c.s, to try (a) conclusion): to try experiments, to experiment; transf. to engage in a trial of skill, strength, etc. (Now associated with sense 2, as if = ‘to try the issue, see what will come of it.’)
1601. Chester, Love’s Mart., cxvi. If their eyes trie not conclusion They will not trust a strangers true reporting.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. iv. 194.
| Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape, | |
| To try conclusions, in the basket creep, | |
| And break your own neck down. |
1602. Rowlands, Greene’s Ghost, 35. Either he would haue restitution for his purse … or they would trie a conclusion at Tyborne.
1619. W. Sclater, Expos. 1 Thess. (1630), 311. As if … to giue our Saviour the lye, and to proue conclusions with the Almighty.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 37. His poor and beggerly Farm hath wasted what he hath, and he has no more to try new Conclusions withal.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills (1872), III. 314. But try no mad Conclusions.
1857. Kingsley, Two Y. Ago, v. Put his tissues under the microscope and try conclusions on him.
1884. L’pool Daily Post, 23 June, 5. To day Australian cricketers will try conclusions with a Liverpool team.
† 9. Purpose, aim, end. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, I. 480. Only, lo, for this conclusioun, To likyn her the betre for his renoun. Ibid. (c. 1386), Wife’s Prol., 115. Tel me also, to what conclusioun Were membres maad.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 340. To what finall conclusion They wolde regne kinges there.
10. The result of a discussion, or examination of a question; final determination, decision, resolution; final arrangement or agreement. (See CONCLUDE v. 12, 13.)
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2643, Hypermestre. Thou nescapest noght … But thou consente … Tak this to thee for ful conclusioun.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xxii. 85. After her conclusion taken.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, clviii. 608. [He] had harde all the conclusyon that the abbot had taken with these prynces.
1602. Carew, Surv. Cornw. (1811), 11. The conclusion ensued, that his charges must be borne.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, III. 128. Their standing out, hindred not the rest from proceeding to conclusion.
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 40. At Leipsic, February 8th., 1630 … the protestants agreed on several heads for their mutual defence … these were the famous conclusions of Leipsic.
1747. Col. Rec. Penn., V. 155. There shou’d be reason to think they were come to some Conclusion on the several matters before them.
Mod. He has come to the conclusion not to prosecute the inquiry.
11. The concluding, settling, or final arranging (of a peace, treaty, etc.). (See CONCLUDE v. 11.)
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 730. Now let us … return to the conclusion of the peace.
1632. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 14. Hee had condescended to the conclusion of the marriage (so long … suspended).
1685. Conset, Pract. Spirit. Courts, 156. The Conclusion of the Cause.
1850. Alison, Hist. Europe, VIII. liv. § 75. 536. The … object of his mission … was the conclusion of an armistice.
1878. Seeley, Stein, III. 354. By the conclusion of treaties or the disbanding of armies.
† 12. The action of shutting up, enclosing, or confining. Obs. rare.
1676. Hale, Contempl., I. 169. The conclusion of them under chains of darkness … in Hell fire.
13. Law. An act by which a man debars himself from doing anything inconsistent with it; ‘a binding act’ (Wharton, Law Dict.); a bar or impediment so arising, an estoppel. (See CONCLUDE 3.)
1531. Dial. Laws Eng., II. xliv. (1638), 141. Without it be by such a matter that it worke by way of conclusion or estoppell.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 71. Conclusion is when a man by his own act upon Record hath charged himselfe with a dutie or other thing: as if a freeman confesse himselfe to bee the villeine of A. upon record … hee shall be concluded to say in any action or plea afterwards, that hee is free, by reason of his own confession.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 438. It was determined, that though the fine operated at first by conclusion, and passed no interest, yet the estoppel should bind the heir.
14. Sc. Law. The concluding clause (or paragraph) of a Summons, which sets forth the purpose of the action or suit; the purpose or object itself, as stated in the Summons. Cf. CONCLUDE v. 15.
Now (since 1876) only used in actions in the Court of Session, in which the Summons still proceeds, in antiquated form, in the name of the Sovereign, thus: ‘Victoria, etc. Whereas it is humbly meant and shown to us by our lovite, etc.’; and after setting forth the names of the parties, etc., ‘concludes’ in such terms as ‘Therefore, it ought and should be found and declared, that’ or ‘Therefore the defender … ought and should be decerned and ordained … to, etc.’ The clause usually further ‘concludes’ for the expenses of the action.
1826–7. Stair, IV. 5. § 5. There uses a conclusion to be added for payment.
1850. Act 13 & 14 Vict., c. 36 § 1. [The Summons shall set forth the names of parties] and the conclusions of the Action.
1875. Dove Wilson, Sheriff Court Pract., 100 § 6. The conclusion for expenses is very briefly stated. It is always well to insert it.
15. Foregone conclusion: see FOREGONE.
(As used by Shaks., variously referred to senses 2, 8, 10.)
