- Conceit
- Conceit Con*ceit", n. [Through French, fr. L. conceptus a
conceiving, conception, fr. concipere to conceive: cf. OF. p.
p. nom. conciez conceived. See {Conceive}, and cf. {Concept},
{Deceit}.]
1. That which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind;
idea; thought; image; conception.
[1913 Webster]
In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
A man wise in his own conceit. --Prov. xxvi. 12. [1913 Webster]
2. Faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension; as, a man of quick conceit. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
How often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]
3. Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy. [1913 Webster]
His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there's more conceit in him than is in a mallet. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. A fanciful, odd, or extravagant notion; a quant fancy; an unnatural or affected conception; a witty thought or turn of expression; a fanciful device; a whim; a quip. [1913 Webster]
On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
Some to conceit alone their works confine, And glittering thoughts struck out at every line. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
Tasso is full of conceits . . . which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
5. An overweening idea of one's self; vanity. [1913 Webster]
Plumed with conceit he calls aloud. --Cotton. [1913 Webster]
6. Design; pattern. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{In conceit with}, in accord with; agreeing or conforming.
{Out of conceit with}, not having a favorable opinion of; not pleased with; as, a man is out of conceit with his dress.
{To put [one] out of conceit with}, to make one indifferent to a thing, or in a degree displeased with it. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
