Definition of "dissuasion" [dis•sua•sion]

• The act or an instance of dissuading. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Instead those caught with drugs for personal use are sent to so-called "dissuasion boards" consisting of social workers and psychologists who question users on their drug habit and have the power to impose fines or recommend treatment."
• "Controversial when it was first introduced almost a decade ago, the move has turned possession into an "administrative offence", which sends those caught with drugs for personal use to a so-called dissuasion board rather than having them prosecuted."
• ""You are a chap!" said Constance, and warmed only slowly from the idea of dissuasion to the idea of help."