noun

1. a conceiving or being conceived
2. that which is conceived; specif., an embryo or fetus
3. the beginning of some process, chain of events, etc.
4. the act, process, or power of conceiving mentally; formulation of ideas, esp. of abstractions
5. a mental impression; general notion; concept
6. an original idea, design, plan, etc.

Etymology: ME concepcioun < OFr conception < L conceptio, a comprehending, conception < conceptus: see conceive