concept, conceive, preconception

經濟學的先人之見（I） The Preconceptions of Economic Science


concept
n.

1. A general idea derived or inferred from specific instances or occurrences.
2. Something formed in the mind; a thought or notion. See synonyms at idea.
3. A scheme; a plan: “began searching for an agency to handle a new restaurant concept” (ADWEEK).

[Late Latin conceptus, from Latin, past participle of concipere, to conceive. See conceive.]

conceive

v., -ceived, -ceiv·ing, -ceives. v.tr.

1. To become pregnant with (offspring).
2. To form or develop in the mind; devise: conceive a plan to increase profits.
3. To apprehend mentally; understand: couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence.
4. To be of the opinion that; think: didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur.
5. To begin or originate in a specific way: a political movement conceived in the ferment of the 1960s.

v.intr.

1. To form or hold an idea: Ancient peoples conceived of the earth as flat.
2. To become pregnant.

[Middle English conceiven, from Old French concevoir, conceiv-, from Latin concipere : com-, intensive pref.; see com– + capere, to take.]

conceivability con·ceiv'a·bil'i·ty or con·ceiv'a·ble·ness n.
conceivable con·ceiv'a·ble adj.
conceivably con·ceiv'a·bly adv.
conceiver con·ceiv'er n.