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conceive

con·ceive

conceive

 
 
pronunciation:
kn siv
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: conceives, conceiving, conceived
definition 1: to give shape to in the mind.
She conceived a brilliant strategy.He gave himself a little time to conceive a good excuse.
 
synonyms:
conceptualize, design, envision, fancy, form, imagine, invent, picture, think, visualize
similar words:
contrive, devise, envisage, fabricate, formulate, frame, hatch, ideate, lay, plan
definition 2: to be able to think of or imagine.
He is so prepared this time that I cannot conceive his failing.She tried to conceive how she would look in thirty years.
synonyms:
conceptualize, envision, fancy, imagine, picture, visualize
similar words:
believe, think
definition 3: to become pregnant with.
It was not long before she conceived her first child.
similar words:
beget, breed, engender, generate, hatch, procreate, propagate
definition 4: to begin or originate.
Our book group was conceived over twelve years ago.
synonyms:
begin, create, engender, form, generate, hatch, originate, start
similar words:
beget, breed, establish, found, institute, procreate
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to form a concept, idea, or image in one's mind (usu. fol. by "of").
The chef conceived of a fabulous new dessert.I could never have conceived of his running away like that.
synonyms:
conceptualize, ideate, imagine, visualize
similar words:
create, think
definition 2: to become pregnant.
They had been married for several years but his wife had not conceived.
similar words:
bear, breed, propagate, reproduce
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derivation: conceiver (n.)
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  reproduce, think
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