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Conceive


CONCEIVE, verb transitive [Latin , to take.]

1. To receive into the womb, and breed; to begin the formation of the embryo or fetus of animal.

Then shall she be free and conceive seed. Numbers 5:28. Hebrews 11:11.

Elisabeth hath conceived a son in her old age. Luke 1:31.

In sin did my mother conceive me. Psalms 51:5.

2. To form in the mind; to imagine; to devise.

They conceive mischief and bring forth vanity. Job 15:35.

Nebuchadnezzar hath conceived a purpose against you. Jeremiah 49:30.

3. To form an idea in the mind; to understand; to comprehend.

We cannot conceive the manner in which spirit operates upon matter.

4. To think; to be of opinion; to have an idea; to imagine.

You can hardly conceive this man to have been bred in the same climate.

CONCEIVE, verb intransitive

1. To have a fetus formed in the womb; to breed; to become pregnant.

Thou shalt conceive and bear a son. Judges 13:3.

2. To think; to have a conception or idea.

CONCEIVE of things clearly and distinctly in their own natures. The grieved commons hardly conceive of me.

3. To understand; to comprehend; to have a complete idea of; as, I cannot conceive by what means this event has been produced.