con·ceive (k n-s v )v. con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing, con·ceives v.tr.1. To become pregnant with (offspring). 2. To form or develop in the mind; devise: conceive a plan to increase profits. 3. To apprehend mentally; understand: couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence. 4. To be of the opinion that; think: didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur. 5. To begin or originate in a specific way: a political movement conceived in the ferment of the 1960s. v.intr.1. To form or hold an idea: Ancient peoples conceived of the earth as flat. 2. To become pregnant.
[Middle English conceiven, from Old French concevoir, conceiv-, from Latin concipere : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + capere, to take; see kap- in Indo-European roots.]
con·ceiv a·ble adj. con·ceiv a·bly adv. con·ceiv er n. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | conceivableness - the state of being conceivablepossibleness, possibility - capability of existing or happening or being true; "there is a possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired" |