conception

Conception is the process of becoming pregnant or the origin of anything. (noun)

See conception in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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See conception in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(kən-sĕpˈshən)

noun

a. Formation of a viable zygote by the union of the male sperm and female ovum; fertilization.
b. The entity formed by the union of the male sperm and female ovum; an embryo or zygote.
a. The ability to form or understand mental concepts and abstractions.
b. Something conceived in the mind; a concept, plan, design, idea, or thought. See Synonyms at idea.
Archaic A beginning; a start.

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