DictionaryRoot: con-
Latin

con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

  • con-
  • com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
  • col- — The final consonant changed before l.
  • cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
  • co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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verb

conceive

kun-SEEV/kənˈsiːv/

To form or grasp an idea in the mind.

The designer conceives a stool that folds into a flat panel.

Woman suddenly forms idea for folding stool, small thought bubble shows simple newly imagined stool while she sketches first lines on blank paper; clear forming idea, no labels or magical effects.
Etymology

With con- perhaps adding emphasis, “taking in and holding” describes both receiving seed in the womb and taking an idea into the mind.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain254:05
the king heard me with attention and began to conceive a much better opinion of me than he ever had before
1700s Satire: Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels (Audiobook)

More examples

  • She conceived a new approach.
  • They are conceiving alternatives to the original plan.
  • He could not conceive of such a change.

Forms

conceive · conceives · conceived · conceiving

conception noun — formation of an idea or pregnancy

Similar words

imagine
Can picture something without developing a workable idea.
devise
Emphasizes planning a practical method or solution.