preconception

Etymology

It is formed from English pre- + conception,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} probably after preconceive, which the OED records from 1559.^[2] The OED also compares Medieval Latin praeconceptio, of the 12th century, and the earlier English noun preconceit, from 1593.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

An idea or opinion formed before actual knowledge: the revised OED's first quotation is from J. Donne's sermons, before 1631.^[2] Merriam-Webster Unabridged dates the word to 1625,^[4] Etymonline to the 1620s^[3] and Dictionary.com to 1615–25.^[7]

Semantic evolution

The noun came into use beside the older verb preconceive and the slightly older noun preconceit, for the action of forming a notion in advance as well as for the notion itself.^[2] Johnson (1755) defines it simply as an opinion formed earlier, and his quotation from Hakewill sets preconceptions beside custom as a thing that outweighs truth.^[8] Modern dictionaries also give bias or prejudice.^[9][4][5] In the 20th century a separate adjective arose, formed from the same parts but meaning "before conception" in the biological sense; it is recorded from 1929, in The Lancet.^[2]

Timeline

• before 1631 – an opinion formed before actual knowledge; the action of preconceiving.^[2] Merriam-Webster Unabridged gives 1625.^[4]
• 1929 – adjective, occurring before conception; later also of medical care for prospective parents.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. An idea or opinion formed in advance, before there is real knowledge or experience: She arrived in the village with few preconceptions about country life.^[9][2][4]
2. A bias or prejudice.^[9][4][5]
3. The act of preconceiving something.^[4][2]

Adjective

1. Occurring or existing before conception in the biological sense; relating to the medical care of prospective parents in that period.^[2]

Word family

• preconceptional

Related words

• preconceive
• preconceit
• conception
• conceive

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f g Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ Klein, Ernest. A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. 2 vols. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1966–1967.
7. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
8. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
9. ^ a b c Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins