English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English conceyven, from Old French concevoir, conceveir, from Latin concipiō, concipere (to devise, to conceive).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /kənˈsiːv/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -iːv

Verb edit

conceive (third-person singular simple present conceives, present participle conceiving, simple past and past participle conceived)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To have a child; to become pregnant (with).
    Assisted procreation can help those trying to conceive.
  2. (transitive) To develop; to form in the mind; to imagine.
  3. (transitive, intransitive with of, ditransitive) To imagine (as); to have a conception of; to form a representation of.
    Can you conceive of him as a leader?
  4. (transitive) To understand (someone).

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Further reading edit

Middle English edit

Verb edit

conceive

  1. Alternative form of conceyven