Concept

kon′sept, n. a thing conceived, a general notion.— ns. Concep′tacle , that in which anything is contained, a receptacle: ( bot. ) a pericarp of one valve, a follicle: a cavity enclosing the reproductive cells in certain plants and animals; Concep′tion , the act of conceiving: the thing conceived; the formation in the mind of an image or idea: a notion: ( Shak. ) a mere fancy: a plan: a concept; Concep′tionist .— adjs. Concep′tious ( Shak. ), fruitful; Concept′ive , capable of conceiving mentally; Concep′tual , pertaining to conception.— ns. Consep′tualism , the doctrine in philosophy that universals have an existence in the mind apart from any concrete embodiment; Concep′tualist , one who holds this doctrine.— adj. Conceptual is′tic . [L. concipĕre , -ceptum , to conceive.]