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conception definition

con·cep·tion (kən sep′s̸hən)

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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