conceive
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (3)
- have the idea for“He conceived of a robot that would help paralyzed patients”“This library was well conceived”Synonyms: gestateconceptualizeconceptualise
- judge or regard; look upon; judge“I think he is very smart”“I believe her to be very smart”“I think that he is her boyfriend”“The racist conceives such people to be inferior”Synonyms: thinkbelieveconsider
- become pregnant; undergo conception“She cannot conceive”“My daughter was conceived in Christmas Day”
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Conceive \Con*ceive"\, v. i.
1.To have an embryo or fetus formed in the womb; to breed; to become pregnant. [1913 Webster]
A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.— Isa. vii. 14.[1913 Webster]
2.To have a conception, idea, or opinion; think; -- with of. [1913 Webster]
Conceive of things clearly and distinctly in their own natures.— I. Watts.[1913 Webster]
Conceive \Con*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conceived; p. pr. & vb. n. Conceiving.] [OF. conzoivre, concever, conceveir, F. concevoir, fr. L. oncipere to take, to conceive; con- + capere to seize or take. See Capable, and cf. Conception.]
1.To receive into the womb and begin to breed; to begin the formation of the embryo of. [1913 Webster]
She hath also conceived a son in her old age.— Luke i. 36.[1913 Webster]
2.To form in the mind; to plan; to devise; to generate; to originate; as, to conceive a purpose, plan, hope. [1913 Webster]
It was among the ruins of the Capitol that I first conceived the idea of a work which has amused and exercised near twenty years of my life.— Gibbon.[1913 Webster]
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.— Is. lix. 13.[1913 Webster]
3.To apprehend by reason or imagination; to take into the mind; to know; to imagine; to comprehend; to understand. "I conceive you." --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]
O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart Cannot conceive nor name thee!— Shak.[1913 Webster]
You will hardly conceive him to have been bred in the same climate.— Swift.
Syn: To apprehend; imagine; suppose; understand; comprehend; believe; think. [1913 Webster]