conception
UK: kənˈsepʃən | US: kənˈsepʃən
n. the act or process of conceiving an idea or plan
n. the fertilization of an ovum to form a new organism
n. a general understanding or mental representation of something
The word "conception" traces back to Latin conceptio, derived from concipere ("to take in, conceive"), combining con- (together) and capere (to take). The morpheme cept preserves the Latin root's meaning of "taking" or "receiving," while -ion nominalizes the action. Originally used in biological contexts (e.g., fertilization), it later expanded to abstract ideas (e.g., mental concepts).
The conception of the project took months of brainstorming.
Biological conception occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg.
His conception of justice differs from traditional views.
The artist’s conception of the future was strikingly original.
Early philosophers debated the conception of the universe.