[f. CONVICT sb.1 + -ISM.] The convict system; the system of penal settlements for convicted criminals.
1834. Sydney Morn. Her., 28 June, 2/3. The blackness and deformity of the system merely require to be exhibited at home, in order to produce the annihilation of the champions of convictism and other remedial measures.
a. 1864. W. Howitt (cited in Webster).
1864. Realm, 24 Feb., 4. No one who has not lived in Australia can appreciate the profound hatred of convictism that obtains there.
1889. Pall Mall G., 13 June, 1. To bring the reign of convictism to a close in New Caledonia.
b. This system as embodied in its subjects; the convict class or body.
1868. Daily Tel., 1 Sept. All the Australian colonies shut their gates against the invasion of convictism from Swan River.
1875. M. Clarke, His Natural Life, I. I. v. 68. Convictism had established a tacit right to converse in whispers.
