A partial view, of either a material or immaterial object; a glimpse, an inkling; a faint notion.

figurative.

A notion, remembrance, or belief, impressed upon the mind; hence esp., a somewhat vague or indistinct notion remaining in the mind as a survival from…

An impression, understanding, or intuition, often of a general or approximate kind, that something is the case.

A notion or thought that is more or less implausible, indefinite, or fanciful; a vague belief, opinion, or estimate; a supposition, impression, fancy.

An understanding or comprehension of something; an ability to conceive or imagine a specified thing. Also: a notion, an inkling. Frequently in…

An idea, belief, or sense (especially a vague or irrational one) that a particular thing is true; an impression that something is about to happen or…

figurative. A faint gleam (of knowledge, hope, etc.); a faint perception; a glimpse.

a gleam (also glint, twinkle) in a person's eye and variants: a barely formed idea; spec. applied to a child who has not yet been conceived.