Conceiving

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]