Con-clu'sion, n.

(kon-klü'zhun), n. [Lat. conclusio, Fr. conclusion, Pr. conclusio.] 1. The last part of any thing; close; termination. A flourish of trumpets announced the conclusion of the contest. Prescott. 2. Final decision; determination. And the conclusion is, she shall be thine; In practice let us put it presently. Shak. 3. The consequence or deduction drawn from premises; inference. He granted him the major and minor, but denied him the conclusion. Addison. 4. An experiment, or something from which a conclusion may be drawn. Like the famous ape To try conclusions in the basket creep, And break your neck down. Shak. 5. (Law.) (a.) The end or close of a pleading. (b.) An estoppel or bar by which a person is held to a position which he has taken. Burrell. “Conclusion is once used by Shakespeare rather obscurely. From the character and state of mind of the speaker, Cleopatra, I should think she meant ‘deep but secret censure, looking demure all the while.’ Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes, And still conclusion, shall acquire no honor Demuring upon me.” Nares. Syn.—Inference; deduction; end; decision. See INFERENCE.