conceive

Universal Words verb 1 ~ (of) sth (as sth) (formal) to form an idea, a plan, etc. in your mind; to imagine sth: [VN] He conceived the idea of transforming the old power station into an arts centre. * God is often conceived of as male. * [V(that)] I cannot conceive (= I do not believe) (that) he would wish to harm us. * [Vwh-] I cannot conceive what it must be like. 2 when a woman conceives or conceives a child, she becomes pregnant: [V] She is unable to conceive. * [VN] Their first child was conceived on their wedding night. seealsoCONCEPTION ______________________________ WORDFAMILY conceive v. concept n. conception n. conceivable adj. (=/= inconceivable) conceptual adj. ______________________________