| 释义 |
con·ceive
\kənˈsēv\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English conceiven, from Old French conceivre, conceveir, from Latin concipere to take, receive, conceive, proclaim, from com- + -cipere (from capere to seize, take) — more at heave
transitive verb
1.
a. of a mammal, especially a human being
(1) : to become pregnant with : be with (child or young)
(2) : beget
< he conceived their child deliberately — Norman Mailer >
(3) obsolete : to make pregnant : impregnate
(4) : to be engendered in the womb — used passively
< before he was conceived — Lk 2:21 (Authorized Version) >
b. : to cause to begin : originate or start (something thought of as capable of subsequent growth and development)
< Texas was conceived in debt and nourished on depleted paper — R.A.Billington >
— usually used figuratively
2.
a. : to take into one's mind : be affected by
< I have conceived a profound prejudice against such methods >
b. : to form in the mind (as a concept or idea) : evolve mentally (as a plan or stratagem) : form a conception of : imagine, visualize, image
< a building badly conceived and carelessly constructed >
3.
a. archaic : to apprehend (something) by reason or imagination
b. : comprehend
< conceive the man >
: understand, grasp
4. : to be of the opinion : think, suppose
< we cannot conceive that this course is expedient now >
5. archaic : to give forth : exhibit, produce
6. : to give expression to : couch, frame, phrase
intransitive verb
1. : to become pregnant
2. : to have a conception, idea, or opinion : think — usually used with of
Synonyms: see think |