Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. i.
   To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion.
   --Shak.

Persuade \Per*suade"\, n.
   Persuasion. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.

Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Persuaded}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Persuading}.] [L. persuadere, persuasum; per +
   suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See {Per-},
   and {Suasion}.]
   1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty,
      expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination
      by presenting sufficient motives.

Source : WordNet®

persuade
     v 1: win approval or support for; "Carry all before one"; "His
          speech did not sway the voters" [syn: {carry}, {sway}]
     2: cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or
        course of action; twist somebody's arm; "You can't
        persuade me to buy this ugly vase!" [ant: {dissuade}]