[con.cep.tion] n [ME concepcioun, fr. OF conception, fr. L conception-, conceptio, fr. concipere] (14c) 1 a (1): the act of becoming pregnant: the state of being conceived (2): embryo, fetus b: beginning "joy had the like ~ in our eyes --Shak."
2. a: the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols b: a general idea: concept c: a complex product of abstract or reflective thinking d: the sum of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something
3: the originating of something in the mind syn see idea -- con.cep.tion.al adj -- con.cep.tive adj