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conceive of

 - 4 dictionary results

con⋅ceive

  [kuhn-seev] verb, -ceived, -ceiv⋅ing.
Use conceive of in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to form (a notion, opinion, purpose, etc.): He conceived the project while he was on vacation.
2. to form a notion or idea of; imagine.
3. to hold as an opinion; think; believe: I can't conceive that it would be of any use.
4. to experience or form (a feeling): to conceive a great love for music.
5. to express, as in words.
6. to become pregnant with.
7. to beget.
8. to begin, originate, or found (something) in a particular way (usually used in the passive): a new nation conceived in liberty.
9. Archaic. to understand; comprehend.
–verb (used without object)
10. to form an idea; think (usually fol. by of).
11. to become pregnant.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, OF conceivre < L concipere to take fully, take in, equiv. to con- con- + -cipere, comb. form of capere to take

Related forms:
con⋅ceiv⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2, 8. See imagine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To conceive of
Word Origin & History

conceive 
c.1280, from stem of O.Fr. conceveir, from L. concipere (pp. conceptus) "to take in and hold," from com- intensive prefix + comb. form of capere "to take," from PIE *kap- "to grasp" (see capable). Originally "take (seed) into the womb, become pregnant," sense of "take into the mind" is from c.1340.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: con·ceive
Pronunciation: k&n-'sEv
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: con·ceived; con·ceiv·ing
transitivesenses
: to become pregnant with (young) conceive intransitive senses
: to become pregnant
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

conceive con·ceive (kən-sēv')
v. con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing, con·ceives

  1. To become pregnant.

  2. To apprehend mentally; to understand.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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