conception
pronunciation
How to pronounce conception in British English:
UK [kənˈsepʃn]
How to pronounce conception in American English:
US [kənˈsepʃn]
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- Noun:
- an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
- the act of becoming pregnant; fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon
- the event that occurred at the beginning of something
- the creation of something in the mind
Word Origin
- conception (n.)
- early 14c., "act of conceiving," from Old French concepcion (Modern French conception) "conception, grasp, comprehension," from Latin conceptionem (nominative conceptio) "a comprehending, conception," noun of action from stem of concipere (see conceive). Originally in the womb sense (also with reference to Conception Day in the Church calendar); mental sense "process of forming concepts" is late 14c. Meaning "that which is conceived in the mind" is from 1520s; "general notion" is from 1785.
Example
- 1. The other factors may be timing of conception .
- 2. After conception , men aren 't exactly needed to keep their child alive .
- 3. Orgasm was assumed to be a routine , more or less indispensable part of conception .
- 4. Yet few have much conception of what lies over the border .
- 5. He is pro-life , which he believes begins at conception .