conceive

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 ]

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 ]