The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inception \In*cep"tion\, n. [L. inceptio, fr. incipere to begin;
   pref. in- in + capere to take. See Capable.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Beginning; commencement; initiation. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

            Marked with vivacity of inception, apathy of
            progress, and prematureness of decay. --Rawle.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Reception; a taking in. [R.] --Poe.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

inception
    n 1: an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of
         subsequent events [syn: origin, origination,
         inception]