Etymology: Partly (i) < classical Latin conceptum that which is conceived, fetus, that which is conceived in the mind, idea, use as noun of neuter of past participle of concipere conceive v., and partly (ii) an alteration of conceit n. (compare especially the α. forms at that entry) after classical Latin concept-, past participial stem of concipere conceive v. Compare Middle French, French concept (1404, earliest in sense ‘idea, mental image’; the specific use in philosophy is not paralleled until 1647), Catalan concepte (14th cent.), Spanish concepto (early 15th cent.), and also Italian concetto (see conceit n.), Portuguese conceito (1523; also 1537 as †concepto). Compare also Dutch concept (1504, earliest in senses ‘plan, design’ and ‘draft’), German †Concept (now Konzept; c1500 in sense ‘design, plan’), early modern Danish concept (Danish koncept), Swedish koncept (1527 as †concept, earliest in sense ‘draft’).In sense 2 originally after Italian concetto conceit n. In sense 7 probably after German †Concept (now Konzept) draft, rough copy (16th cent.). With this sense, compare French †concet draft (1619; rare). The following glosses from dictionaries appear to be based on mistaken French glosses in G. Miège Great French Dictionary (1688) and in A. Boyer Royal Dictionary (1699):1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Concept, a set Form; a term used in Publick Acts.1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Concept, a set Form, or Term used in publick Acts.

Etymology: Partly (i) < post-classical Latin conceptare to conceive in the womb (4th cent.; frequentative formation < classical Latin concipere conceive v.), and partly (ii) < concept n. Compare earlier concepted adj., conceit v.