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conceptio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word conceptio

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (concipiō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin concipio
Latin conceptio

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔŋˈkɛp.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon̠ʲˈt͡ʃɛp.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

conceptiō f (genitive conceptiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin concipiō (“to take in, conceive”) + -tiō, from con- and capiō “to take”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are Cicero, of conception in the womb and of a legal formula.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant the conceiving of offspring, conception, pregnancy, and in law a set form of words, a formula, both in Cicero; in Vitruvius a comprehensive system, as mundī conceptiō tōta “the whole system of the world”; and in Gellius a mental concept, notion.[2][4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it means conception, concept.[5] Medieval Latin used it for an idea, an intention, a grasp, and offspring.[6] British Medieval Latin used it of the conception of Christ and for the feast of the Conception (8 December).[7] English conception (early 14th century) is from it through Old French.[8]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of conception and of a legal formula.[2][3]
  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of a system.[2][3]
  • c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of a concept.[2][3]
  • early 14th century – English conception is recorded.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Conception (in the womb); pregnancy.[2][9]
  2. A comprehensive system.[2]
  3. (law) A set formula.[2]
  4. A concept, notion.[2][5]
  5. (Medieval Latin) An intention; offspring.[6]

Word family

  • conceptionalis

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  9. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Conceptio.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/conceptio. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·