| 释义 |
conceivev. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French conçeiv-, concevoir. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman conçaiver, conçaivere, conseivre, consever, and Anglo-Norman and Middle French conçeiv-, stressed stem of Anglo-Norman and Middle French concevoir, conçoivre, Middle French consevoir (French concevoir ; compare Old French conçeivre ) to become pregnant with (a child) (c1120), to form or have an idea of (something) (c1120), to perceive, see (an object) (c1120), to form (an intention, design, etc.) in the mind (end of the 12th cent.), to become affected or possessed by (an emotion) (c1200), to plan (something) (first third of the 13th cent. or earlier), to understand, comprehend (something) (c1250 or earlier), to engender, produce (something) (13th cent. or earlier), to become pregnant (beginning of the 14th cent. or earlier), to come to know, learn (something) (late 14th cent. or earlier), to contain, comprise (something) (c1400), to come to an opinion (15th cent. or earlier) < classical Latin concipere to take in, absorb, catch, to become pregnant, to produce, generate, to contain, hold, to perceive, to catch (a disease), to form an idea of, imagine, to devise, to undertake, to pronounce solemnly, utter (a formula or prayer), to take (an oath or vow), to declare, to express in formal language < con- con- prefix + capere to take (see capture n.). Compare Old Occitan concebre (mid 13th cent.), Catalan concebre (13th cent.), Spanish concebir (first half of the 13th cent.), Portuguese conceber (13th cent.), Italian concepire (c1336; c1300 as †concepere).The semantic development is influenced by the senses of classical Latin concipere . In sense 14 after post-classical Latin concipere actionem (6th cent. in legal context). In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix). I. Senses relating to mental or emotional states, or their expression. 1. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > contrive, devise, or invent [verb (transitive)] 1340 (1866) 58 Þet hi myȝten his..uram þe guode þet hi habeþ y-conceyued wyþdraȝe. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. lix. 13 Wee conceyueden [L. concepimus], and speeken of herte wrdys of lesing. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xx. 186 The hert..Quhar-in consauit [1489 Adv. consawyt] wes that entent. 1534 Acts v. 4 How is it that thou hast conceaved this thinge in thyne herte? 1599 R. Crompton sig. k2 The vengeance of God on the heart which conceiued the treason, and on the body that executed the same. 1629 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides ii. 86 Neither side conceived small matters but put their whole strength to the war. 1693 T. Creech tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal xiii. 268 He that but conceives a Crime in thought, Contracts the danger of an Actual Fault. 1767 J. Hanway II. xli. 171 One of the most plain, christian-like, and well-digested plans that was ever conceived in the heart of a Prince. 1781 W. Cowper Expostulation in 119 He first conceives, then perfects his design. 1835 T. Irving I. xxi. 139 He soon conceived another scheme of vengeance. 1883 J. A. Froude IV. i. x. 111 Orders were certainly conceived which were to be sent to the archbishop. 1931 J. Sherrod 49 One of the most vicious policies ever conceived. 1999 5 Nov. a15/3 He finally conceives an undignified plan to destroy her political career. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > creative genius > create work of genius [verb (transitive)] 1589 in tr. To Rdr. sig. Aij The worke being first conceiued by an high wit,..seemeth sithence to haue passed through some rude and vncleane hand. 1698 J. Cockburn 18 Some have censured his Vanity in proposing these Poems which he conceived and brought forth in Coffee-Houses.., as a Pattern for other Poets to write by. 1712 J. Addison No. 339. ¶9 The Thought of the Golden Compasses [in Paradise Lost. vii. 225] is conceiv'd altogether in Homer's Spirit. 1822 Feb. 71/2 The succeeding Andante..is both elegantly and impressively conceived. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato IV. 4 The mind which conceived the Republic. 1939 Oct. 65/1 The Autobahnen were conceived by Hitler and Dr. Todt in a grand if somewhat unorthodox manner. 2014 May 102/3 The magazine, conceived as a quarterly, turned monthly with its second issue. 2. To comprehend with the mind or (in early use) the heart; to understand, apprehend, realize. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] > reach understanding of 1340 (1866) 136 (MED) Þe milde herte þet..loueþ and hereþ and prayzeþ and conceyueþ þe zuetnesse of deuocion. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. ix. l. 48 I haue no kynde knowyng..to conceyue þi wordes. a1425 (?a1350) (Galba) (1907) l. 205 (MED) Sone he concayued in Latin speche Al þat his maisters wald him teche. a1450 (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) l. 7046 I conceyve youre entent. 1509 J. Fisher (de Worde) sig. Aiii A redy wytte she had also to conceyue all thynges. 1597 T. Morley 3 You haue..well conceiued my meaning. a1637 W. Rushworth (1640) i. 76 You doe not fully conceiue my question. a1656 Bp. J. Hall (1660) i. 40 The drift whereof, being not well conceived, by some spirits. 1755 B. Martin I. ii. i. 122 All this I conceive perfectly well. 1774 20 They..found from the manner of his replies, that he fully conceived their intentions. 1814 W. Scott I. xvi. 247 In a short time Edward began to conceive his meaning. 1868 July 19/1 Before the two gentlemen could conceive her intention, the flames were extinguished. 1908 E. M. Forster x. 169 Life, so far as she troubled to conceive it, was a circle of rich, pleasant people, with identical interests and identical foes. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xxv. 1165 We haue conceyued [L. accepimus] þat houndes faught for here lordes aȝens þeues. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 145 Whan Richard had conceyued, þat Philip þerto stode,..Rentes & som feez he comandid to selle. a1464 J. Capgrave (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 157 The kyng, conseyuyng weel þat þe Scottis were euyr ontrewe. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. vi. cxlv. f. lxxvii/2 Charlys conceyuyd that the Kyng was escapyd his daunger. 1577 vi. 11 This besides conceyue, that the placing of a Garden grounde neare to a Fenne or Marrishe, is euery where to be misliked. 1606 L. Bryskett 133 Instructions, wherby he may conceiue how honestie and good behauiour..are the foundation of good and happie life. 1669 S. Sturmy v. 65 Therefore you easily conceive, that 3 pounds have but three quarters of the Metal. 1711 I. Newton Let. 24 Mar. in (1975) V. 103 And conceive that the water converges towards the hole from all parts of the vessel. 1793 T. Holcroft tr. J. C. Lavater (abridged ed.) xxiv. 120 We can easily conceive that defective juices may produce defective germs. 1804 J. Webster 165 It is conceived that bodies differently electrified will readily approach. 1882 R. L. Stevenson II. 27 I conceived that any inclination between a man and a woman would rather delay..the step. 1909 21 Aug. 619/1 It can be readily conceived that small tufts or mats of hair may be passed through the bowel. 2010 M. Gilbert xviii. 131 In my drunken state, I conceived how my life lacked that excited zeal for every moment. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] > reach understanding of > words or meaning ?1526 J. Fisher sig. Fivv Conceyue me what I meane. a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 92 in J. Ware (1633) I doe now conceive you. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 224 Nay conceiue me, conceiue mee, (sweet Coz). View more context for this quotation 1633 G. Herbert 15 Judge not the preacher..If thou mislike him, thou conceiv'st him not. 1744 J. Harris iii. i. 159 Explain, said I, your Question, for I do not well conceive you. 1787 G. Colman iii. 64 My presence might distress her.—You conceive me? 1811 Feb. 135/1 The tutor, confused pensively applied his hand to his forehead, and..exclaimed ‘I think I do not conceive myself.’ 1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato II. 347 You have quite conceived me. 1914 Jan. 8 If he was not quite certain that they fully comprehended him: ‘D'ye conceive me now?’ he would ask. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (intransitive)] 1563 f. 13 So farre as I can conceaue of my Lordes answer, he maketh no Sacrifice, Propiciatorie, in the messe. 1584 J. Lyly ii. ii. sig. B4v A witte apt to conceaue, and quick to aunswere. 1605 Bp. J. Hall II. §15 In the Schoole of Nature, we must conceiue; and then beleeue: In the Schoole of God, wee must first beleeue; and then wee shall conceiue. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 50 P. Doe not approach Till thou do'st heare me call. Ar. Well: I conceiue . View more context for this quotation 1748 W. Duncan 13 They are incapable of either conceiving clearly themselves, or making their Thoughts intelligible to others. 1836 J. F. Cooper I. xii. 178 The ability to express is not always commensurate with the ability to conceive. 1997 A. Baltas in E. Agazzi i. 79 Our efforts to perceive, to conceive, to explain. 3. the mind > language > statement > reducing to or expressing in a formula > reduce to or express in a formula [verb (transitive)] c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. vii. l. 36 (MED) Ful Curteisliche þe kniht conseiued þeose wordes: ‘Be my pouwer, pers, I plihte þe my trouþe.’ 1560 in E. Lodge (1791) I. 334 Receaving from them the articles wch they said they wolde conceave. 1603 R. Knolles 7 Her oath was for the more assurance conceiued into writing. 1614 J. Selden i. i. 11 Out of diuers inscriptions conceiued Deae Syriae and Dis Syris. 1709 J. Strype ii. 56 They exhibited their articles conceived in the former session. 1781 E. Gibbon III. lvii. 403 His answer was conceived in the tone of insult and defiance. 1861 Ld. Brougham (new ed.) xix. 303 All laws which are enacted shall be conceived in terms plain, intelligible, and consistent. 1873 R. Giles 9 His letter was conceived in the following words. 1918 II. 142/1 Another letter, conceived in a totally different tone. 1965 Apr. 253/3 To ask how Gray's Elegy could be conceived in glyphic form is as meaningful as to ask how the Mona Lisa could be conceived in words. the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin iv. xiii. f. 83v Iephthe suffred punishment for hys folly, when with hedlong heate he conceiued [L. concepit] an vnaduised vow. 1592 W. Lambarde (rev. ed.) i. x. 53 To appoint meet forms of religious attestations (or Oaths) for such Officers to take and conceiue. a1656 J. Hales (1659) 229 First, here is a Vow. Secondly, here is the Person who conceives the Vow. 1767 R. Bentley iii. iv. 34 You, my gentle children, while they chaunt The deity presiding over marriage, Conceive your vows. society > faith > worship > prayer > kinds of prayer > [verb (transitive)] > form or utter spontaneously 1574 J. Whitgift ix. ii. 502 The rest did rather repeate the wordes after him that conceyued the prayer. 1593 R. Bancroft iii. v. 81 The moderator..conceiueth another praier. 1610 Bp. J. Hall xxxvii. 90 Why is it more idolatry..to worship God..by a praier read, or got by hart, then by a praier conceiued? 1708 T. Bennet i. 10 That Man who..joins in a prayer conceiv'd extempore by another, do's pray extempore. 1789 ix. 30 After the end of every catechism he shall read a prayer, and not conceive one of his own. 1840 T. S. Fay II. iii. 28 He could not utter a prayer, or conceive one. 4. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) ii. l. 2714 Wherof his lord..A seknesse..Conceived hath of dedly sorwe. 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 10 Lyf in this worlde is so shorte that ther ought none conceyue hate nor wil harme to other. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) vii. §15. 27 He hais consayued sorow. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Seneca in 307 By the reports that I heere of you, I conceive good hope of your doings. 1596 T. Danett tr. P. de Commynes viii. xiii. 357 The naturall griefe that women vse to conceiue in such cases. a1656 Bp. J. Hall (1660) i. 3 Whereat she began to conceive an unspeakable joy. 1698 J. Crull I. xii. 326 Having conceived a jealousie against his Wife, he disinherits the Son. 1754 T. Sherlock iii. 129 The Prejudices which Men are apt to conceive against the Gospel. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in I. xii. 304 He no dismay Conceives or terror in his noble heart. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 6 He had conceived a dislike..for this lady. 1871 S. Smiles iii. 68 One of the bigger boys..conceiving a friendship for Martyn. 1890 XXIV. 149 Romney..almost at once conceived for her a passion of the best and purest kind. 1974 E. L. Doctorow (1976) i. 6 He had conceived an enormous interest in the works and career of Harry Houdini. 2005 1 Dec. 56/2 She conceived a stealthy hatred of..people who chitter-chatter and fritter life away. the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif (1871) III. 358 (MED) We wolen seie opinli þe sentence þat we conseyven. 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus vii. xvii, in 385 The..singuler opinion of godlines they conceaued of him. 1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 457/2 in (new ed.) II The opinion which I conceiue of some of the Scotish writers. 1615 G. Wither Shepherd's Hunting Ded., in (1622) sig. Hh5 I was perswaded to entertaine a much better conceit of the Times, then I lately conceyued. 1651 T. Hobbes i. xii. 54 Of whom they have once conceived a good opinion. 1728 J. Morgan I. Ded. 4 A People concerning whose considerableness I find our Nation have hitherto conceived very wrong Notions. 1795 G. Coggan 7 At that time I did not conceive that opinion of his mission which I do now. 1830 T. Moore 119/2 She had conceived a sort of superstitious fancy that she would never see him again. 1865 S. Bennett (1867) iii. iv. 347 The lower people, convicts and others,..conceived an opinion that they could overpower the army. 1913 Jan. 149 In the unhappiness of his first marriage he conceived a low opinion of women. 1988 S. Rushdie i. iv. 74 He conceived the notion that the baby was in fact a bundle of dynamite sticks. 2005 W. B. Gratzer App. 249 Warburg, who ran his laboratory like a military operation, conceived a low opinion of Krebs's talents. 5. the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] > form an opinion a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) ii. l. 2902 The Pope..Conceiveth in his conscience That it [is] goddes wille he cesse. a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 29 (MED) Þei conseyveden þat bi þis shulde Crist fully hele hym. 1455 Duchess of Norfolk in (2004) II. 117 Wherin we conceyve your good will and diligence shal be right expedient. 1587 Let. 14 July in (1864) V. App. xviii. 50 Wee conceave here wilbe travayle. 1602 R. Carew i. f. 69v Who (as I conceiue) looked heerinto with an indifferent and vnpreiudicating eye. 1659 H. Hammond Pref. sig. A4v Those that conceive that it was a new hymne of Christ's effusion. 1755 J. Shebbeare II. xlviii. 156 Mr. Muckworm..conceived marriages should be driven like bargains without shilly shally. 1791 J. Smeaton iii. iv. 106 I conceived it might probably be of some use. 1859 J. S. Mill v. 173 He ought, I conceive, to be..warned of the danger. 1879 May 51/2 We conceived that a small place..should exhibit in every case an interesting and visible individual specimen. 1927 25 Feb. 601/2 He conceived that in doing so he was carrying into effect the spirit..of the nation. 1957 F. Donaldson xv. 208 He conceived that he had a duty to urge the world to a saner view. the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > estimate [phrase] > value at specific rate 1535 S. Matthew sig. C.viii Being condemned, and the kinges prisoners, yet [they] ceassed not to conceyue yll of our souerayne. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in 44 In whome..I reposed such hope..and beganne also to conceive of him as well as heart could thinke. 1582 T. Watson Ep. Ded. sig. A3v Of whome long since they had conceiued well. 1605 W. Camden i. 155 Neither let any conceive offensively if they are not here remembred. 1647 N. Bacon xl. 98 I am the rather induced to conceive charitably of those times. 1679 W. Penn ii. sig. Qv Those, who conceive well of those Moral good things. 1735 Let. in (1736) 20 Any Person, that has conceived ill of Religion or Revelation on my Account. 1784 XVI. 309 He had originally conceived well of Mr. Hastings. 1856 Oct. 435/2 Because he put them down by the sword, he supposed he had put them down effectually.., not conceiving well of moral force. 1909 A. N. Wollaston xix. 19 Back-biting enemies might have played only a subsidiary part in inducing His Majesty to conceive ill of so devoted a servant. 1548 J. Champneys sig. F.iv Howe may reason conceyue truthe to be in them, in whome so muche falshed is founde. a1629 W. Hinde (1641) iv. 14 A speciall cause hereof I conceive to be this. 1647 J. Sprigge i. iv. 21 The Army..did not conceive themselves secure. 1751 S. Johnson No. 141. ⁋7 He that hopes to be conceived as a wit in female assemblies. 1785 T. Reid i. i. 19 When we would express our opinion modestly, instead of saying, ‘This is my opinion,’ or, ‘This is my judgment,’..we say ‘I conceive it to be thus’. 1807 Z. M. Pike iii. App. 54 I conceived it most proper to comply with the demand. 1871 E. A. Freeman IV. xviii. 187 The great warrior, who is thus conceived as being absent from England. 1961 G. F. Kennan i. 3 A social theory..conceived to be general, even universal, in its relevance. 1582 J. Yates f. 18 What conceaue I then? 1597 R. Hooker v. lxv. 165 What the greatest part of men is commonly prone to conceyue. 1642 H. More sig. D5 To shaken off the bonds of prejudice, Nor dote too much of that we have first conceiven. 1660 T. Willsford 182 Having fortified those best where he conceived most danger of being stormed. 1718 G. Sewell tr. J. H. Meibom 6 I shall add some Reasons and Arguments why others have conceived it. 1792 23 If he conceived a chance of pleasure to his employer, or interest to himself. 1605 E. Sandys sig. H2 Herein they conceive to have so farre surpassed their opposites, that they forbeare not to reproach vnto them their povertie..in that kind. 1709 J. Swift 26 The Dangers he conceives to foresee. ?1768 B. J. Feijóo y Montenegro 180 The call which she conceives to have felt in her childhood, to enter among the Blue Girls. the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 330 (MED) Þe yȝe..conceyueþ al þing vnder an angle. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4798 It [sc. intelligence] knoweþ þe vniuersite of resoun and þe figure of þe ymaginacioun, and þe sensible material conseiued..by wit. ?c1450 (1891) l. 1981 Cuthbert consayued his countenance. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 21v Þe kyng consayuit his come. 1675 R. Gower tr. F. de Le Boë xlii. 383 It [sc. blood] is found somwhat Salt in the half perhaps of Men, at least as much as I could conceive by tasting the Blood let out of healthy or Sick People. 7. To form a mental idea or image of; to have an idea or conception of; to imagine, envisage. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 6857 If he myght right consayve in mynde, How grysely a devel es. 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 65 He can not peyse nor conceyue, what good thou doost to hym. ?a1560 L. Digges (1571) iii. Defs. sig. Pivv Intellectually ye may thus conceyue a Sphere to be made. 1578 F. Thynne Let. 20 Oct. in (1875) p. lviii I cold not conceue wherefore the same was spooken. 1616 G. Goodman ii. 184 Wee..cannot possibly conceiue, why there should be such places of torments appointed for so little purpose. 1660 tr. I. Barrow i. 29 If the side AB..be conceived to be carried along perpendicularly through the whole line BC. 1710 J. Addison 14 Sept. 2/2 As for the Nile, how Icarus and Phaeton came to be joined with it, I cannot conceive. 1794 M. D'Aulnoy (1795) 83 What could be the cause of their suffering they could not conceive. 1837 15 July 433/1 A widowed mother, and orphan children, prefer a claim to attention and friendly assistance, to which no heart could be conceived to be insensible. 1862 H. Spencer i. iii. §19. 62 It may be said, ‘though we cannot directly know consciousness to be finite in duration..yet we can very well conceive it to be so’. 1930 5 17/2 Let us try to conceive how this is to be interpreted embryologically and genetically. 2000 P. Iyer (2001) 159 What the world conceives to be America. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > conceive, form in the mind [verb (transitive)] the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > imagine or visualize [verb (transitive)] the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > conceive, form in the mind [verb (transitive)] > take into the mind ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 156 Many men trowez noȝt bot þat at þai see..or þat þai may consayue with þaire awen kyndely wittes. c1440 tr. R. Rolle Oleum Effusum (Thornton) in G. G. Perry (1921) 3 Nane swa swete joye may be consayuede. 1530 T. More (new ed.) i. ii. f. xv Wordes..be but ymages representyng the thynges that ye wryter or speker conceyueth in his mynde. 1599 J. Davies 85 So when we God and Angels do conceiue, And thinke of truth. 1661 J. Glanvill xi. 97 When we would conceive a Triangle, Man, Horse, or any other sensible; we figure it in our Phancies, and stir up there its sensible Idea. 1667 J. Milton ii. 627 All monstrous, all prodigious things..worse Then Fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd . View more context for this quotation 1766 O. Goldsmith I. xv. 148 It is easier to conceive than describe the complicated sensations. 1788 J. Byng Diary 22 Aug. in (1934) I. 370 All the rich and gay world..can but little conceive the pangs of poverty. 1865 E. B. Tylor iv. 66 The deaf-mute seems to conceive general ideas. 1888 1 55 The Rabbis could not conceive such a monstrosity as atheistic orthodoxy. 1920 K. Mayo 124 No one who has seen a badly gassed patient can conceive a worse picture of human suffering. 1993 S. Elkins & E. McKitrick (1995) xv. 750 The Federalists could not conceive the accession of Thomas Jefferson without sensations of horror. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > form conception [verb (intransitive)] the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > imagine or visualize [verb (intransitive)] 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid i. vii. f. 2 When there is in Geometry mention made of..triangles, or of any other figures, ye may not conceyue of them as they be in matter. 1614 Bp. J. Hall III. 73 Friends..we conceiue of them as others from our selues: But children we thinke of..as..peeces of our owne bodies. 1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon 49 If any other man..conceiue of a better course, let him speake. 1678 J. Bunyan 7 I can better conceive of them with my Mind, then speak of them with my Tongue. View more context for this quotation 1754 T. Sherlock iii. 96 So blinded are Men.., and so apt to conceive of the Majesty of God according to their own Ideas of Power and Dignity. 1780 J. Graham ii. 7 If the reader can conceive of the richest—purest—and most strengthening parts of all the cordial and nourishing things he is acquainted with in nature. 1834 H. Martineau ii. 72 It is scarcely possible to conceive of an arrangement more apt. 1872 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris in II. Pref. p.x He cannot conceive of any quality of essential badness or goodness existing in pictures. 1881 W. H. Mallock I. ii. 19 She cannot patiently conceive of you as in relation to anything excepting herself. 1969 I. Murdoch xv. 128 He could not conceive of anybody enjoying Danby's company. 1990 J. M. Coetzee i. 14 Children cannot conceive of what it is to die. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > imagine or visualize [verb (intransitive)] 1658 tr. M. C. de La Chambre Introd. 14 The first Part..is wholly employed to shew, that the Imagination can form and unite several images, and by consequence, that it may conceive [Fr. conceuoir], judge and discourse. 1725 I. Watts iii. iv. 490 This Habit of conceiving clearly, of judging justly, and of reasoning well. 1838 F. B. Hawkins i. i. 29 Charles had more ability to conceive than to execute. 1908 Jan. 115/1 The ability to conceive, to invent, and to circumvent, is not their [sc. most engineers] gift. II. Senses relating to the conception of offspring. 8. c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) l. 6 (MED) Ich am conceiued in wickednesses [L. in iniquitate conceptus sum], and my moder conceiued me in synnes. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 24976 Trou..in iesu crist..conseiued of þe hali gast, born of þe uirgine mari. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 446 He was consayved synfully With-in his awen moder body. ?c1500 (Digby) l. 1759 Þe chyld..wyche was conseyvyd on me be ryth! c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 205v Agamynon..hade a gay sone Consayuit of Clunestra. 1608 E. Topsell 207 The female bringeth forth egges, which she committeth to the earth... The young ones are conceiued of themselues, by the help of the sun. 1678 31 Man enters into the world at traitors gate; born in sin, and conceived in iniquity. 1718 I. Sharpe iv. 18 Some thought, that the Virgin Mary..was conceived in Original Sin. 1750 J. Cennick (ed. 2) 42 By Nature we are Children of Wrath, being conceived in Sin, and born of Iniquity. 1860 W. F. Hook I. ii. 57 He preached the Lord Jesus Christ, who..was conceived by the Holy Ghost. 1895 H. C. Bruce Pref. p. iv The ‘poor white’ class..was conceived and born of a poor blood. 1921 June 334/2 He is a miserable wretch because he was conceived without love. 2010 5 May a26/2 A child conceived by artificial insemination. the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > multiply or reproduce [verb (transitive)] > beget c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) vii. 15 (MED) Lo, þe sinner doþ vnryȝt-fulnesse; he conceiued sorow and childed wickednesse [L. concepto dolore peperit mendacium]. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. l. 648 (MED) The stat of realmes and of kinges, In time of pes, in time of werre, It is conceived of the Sterre. a1425 J. Wyclif (1871) II. 54 (MED) Whanne witt and wille comen togidere and conseyven þe treuþe. 1543 J. Bale f. 62v Your best be loue or fre wyll, whom ye haue so moche commended, hath conceyued lewdenesse, engendred synne, and brought forth deathe. 1642 D. Rogers 439 Whom God hath by his Spirit conceived in the wombe of the Church. a1653 H. Binning (1676) vii. 103 Time is with Child of innumerable things, conceived by the Eternal Counsel of God. 1720 N. Amherst 4 Let lusty verdure cloathe the earth, And let the fields conceive a various birth. 1793 J. Anketell 127 A good tree cannot evil fruit conceive, Nor from bad trees can you good fruit receive. 1923 W. Stevens 127 The night conceives the sea-sounds in silence. the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (transitive)] a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 20822 Þis leuedi..Conceiued thoru þe hali gast þat blisful child. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 66 Scho was chosen..for to consayfe Ihesu Criste and for to bere him. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Kviv Suche a woman shal conceyue a man chylde at such a tyme. 1545 T. Raynald in tr. E. Roesslin i. sig. E.viii When the seede is conceauyd in at this gate or porte. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. i. 223 That a woman conceiued me, I thanke her: that she brought me vp, I likewise giue her most humble thankes. View more context for this quotation 1611 Heb. xi. 11 Through faith also Sara her selfe receiued strength to conceiue seede. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton ii. 766 My womb conceiv'd A growing burden. View more context for this quotation 1709 R. Steele et al. Tatler No. 90, in (1710) I. 1/2 She conceived a Child by him. ?1793 T. Priestley 12 Mary conceived the Seed long promised, and earnestly desired. 1817 T. S. Raffles I. viii. 388 One night having dreamt that her passion for him was gratified, she conceived a child. 1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius i. 25 Those [children] whom a woman has conceived in promiscuous intercourse. 1928 C. S. Whitehead & C. A. Hoff (new ed.) i. vii. 277 Ovulation having ceased, a woman cannot conceive a child. 2004 May 66/2 Parents at risk of transmitting X-linked diseases can choose to conceive a daughter. the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (intransitive)] c1375 (?c1280) Birth Jesus (Egerton) l. 343 in C. Horstmann (1875) 1st Ser. 83 (MED) Vor þow schalt in þine wombe conceiue wiþ oute blame. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke i. 31 Thou schalt conseyue [L. concipies] in the wombe, and schalt bere a sone. a1400 (c1300) Serm. on Gospels (Coll. Phys.) in J. Small (1862) 72 Ar scho had talde thurght whatkyne chaunce Scho consaywed, and thurgh whame. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) l. 5667 Þe addres..conceyueþ of þe sonne..Swich is þis addres kyndlyng. c1450 (c1400) (1908) l. 479 The lady..Conceyued and wente wyth chylde. 1540 R. Jonas in tr. E. Roesslin iii. f. lxxxiv Such as haue..waterysshe matrices can [not] conceaue, for the powre of the seade is extynguyshed in it. 1611 Gen. xxx. 38 And the flockes conceiued before the rods. View more context for this quotation 1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus 241 Laodice..did seem in her sleep to have conceived with child by Apollo. 1706 (new ed.) Conceive, to be with Child, or to breed. 1785 (ed. 2) 354 The embryo is a name given to what a woman has conceived with. 1834 S. Cooper (ed. 4) II. 551 If she conceive again shortly afterwards, she renews it. 1852 O. L. Barbour (ed. 2) i. iii. 71 The notion that if the woman conceived, it could not be a rape, because she must, in that case, have consented, appears to be quite exploded. 1949 H. W. C. Vines (ed. 17) xxxvi. 1032 Sterility.—This term implies the inability of a woman to conceive. 1981 J. Halliday & J. Halliday in K. Thear & A. Fraser (1988) iv. 89 If she is mated and conceives satisfactorily the goat will have her kid or kids..in five months. 2009 D. L. Harris (Ph.D. thesis) iv. 101 She conceived after her second IVF cycle. c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 31 Juno chaced hire [sc. Latona] in eueri contre be-cause sche was conceived be Jubiter, hir housbonde. a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Nero) i. l. 1020 Withe out stalon þe meris þar Off þe wynde consawit ar. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) II. 1647/1 The Queene was conceyued and quicke with child. 1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe i. sig. A3v Had not the heauens conceau'd with hel-borne clowdes, Vaild his resplendant glorie from your view. 1646 E. Fisher (ed. 2) 152 A woman that is conceived with childe must not suffer death because of the childe that is within her. 1793 J. J. Powell (ed. 6) VI. 274 The wife or wives of them, or any of them, being with child, or conceived with child. the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > take on or reach a state or condition [verb (transitive)] the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)] > receive or imbibe a1450 in J. Evans & M. S. Serjeantson (1933) 37 (MED) This stone [sc. crystal] conceiueth wele the fire atte the sonne-beem, & catcheth & brennyth. 1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner 12 A lyquor or other thing be destilled, the thicker it is, the more it semeth to conceiue heate and fyre, if it be oft destilled. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay v. 58 The Plant conceyueth moysture in it self, which springeth foorth into bud, from bud into flower, and from flower into fruite. 1621 G. Hakewill 119 They are..composed of flax or tinder, apt to conceiue fire. a1656 J. Hales (1673) i. 287 Having made a mixture of Nitre and Sulphur, by chance it conceived Fire, and went off with incredible celerity and noise. 1684 tr. T. Bonet vi. 235 Meats of herbs and fruits quickly conceive putrefaction. 1695 W. W. 63 Dipping your Finger in it [sc. Spirit], and touching it with the Flame of a Candle..it immediately conceives Flame. 1756 C. Lucas i. 84 The lightest waters most readily conceive igneous motion. 1778 P. D. Leslie Index 358 Hay, green and moist, conceives heat. †III. Senses relating to physical action. the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)] the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > gender > form gender [verb (transitive)] > of masculine: comprise (feminine) c1400 J. Wyclif (1871) III. 442 Þis preyere..conceves alle þe gode þat a man schuld aske of God. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 1837 (MED) To Darius..enditis he a pistill..þat consayued [a1500 Trin. Dublin consaued] þis wordis. 1481 W. Caxton tr. i. i. sig. a7 God..may alle and conceyueth alle. 1530 J. Palsgrave 299 Note that the masculyn gender conceyveth the femynine in this tonge lyke as it dothe in the latyn, as..Il paia en maniere de tribut cent thoreaux et cent vaches blancz. 1571 T. Digges in xxv. sig. Hh.j This solide also conceiueth two internall spheres. the world > action or operation > behaviour > behave or conduct oneself [verb (reflexive)] a1425 (?a1300) (Linc. Inn) (1952) 2188 Y haue hit to colour..How hent þe gentil knyȝtis, How þey conceyned [perh. read conceyued; c1400 Laud contened] heom in fyȝtis On Alisaundre half and Darie al so. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > carry on or institute (an action) [verb (transitive)] 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 382 An accion of dette..to be conceyved after the custom of the seid cite. 1528–30 tr. T. Littleton (new ed.) f. xvi This shall be tried in the shyre where the playntyfe hath conceyued his accyon. 1742 C. Viner XVI. 14 The Plaintiff may shew..that the Tenant died seised and he entered by Ward, and was possessed till the Defendant did the Trespass, and of which he had conceived his Action. 1840 8 Oct. 4/3 He also objected that the action had been improperly conceived. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  v.1340 |
