Main Entry: con·cep·tion

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsep-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English concepcioun, from Anglo-French concepcion, from Latin conception-, conceptio, from concipere

Date: 14th century

1 a (1) : the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both (2) : embryo, fetus b : beginning <joy had the like conception in our eyes — Shakespeare>
2 a : the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols b : a general idea : concept c : a complex product of abstract or reflective thinking d : the sum of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something
3 : the originating of something in the mind

synonyms see idea

— con·cep·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— con·cep·tive \-ˈsep-tiv\ adjective