conception

con·cep·tion

noun \kən-ˈsep-shən\

Definition of CONCEPTION

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

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

— con·cep·tive \-ˈsep-tiv\ adjective

Examples of CONCEPTION

1. He directed the project from conception to production.
2. the conception of a new device
3. They have a clear conception of how the process works.
4. a child's conception of responsibility
5. They have very different conceptions of the proper role of government.

Origin of CONCEPTION

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONCEPTION

Synonyms: concept, generalization, generality, notion, stereotype

Related Words: bromide, cliché (also cliche), commonplace, platitude, truism; adage, proverb, saw, saying; hypothesis, proposition, theory; oversimplification, simplification, simplism

Near Antonyms: actuality, fact, reality

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at idea

Other Embryology Terms

gravid, neonate, ontogeny, parturition

Rhymes with CONCEPTION

deception, exception, inception, perception, reception, subreption