concept
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkɒn.sɛpt//
- United States//ˈkɑn.sɛpt//
- Canada//ˈkɒn.sɛpt//
- Australia//ˈkɔn.sept//
- New Zealand//ˈkɔ̟n.sept//
An abstract and general idea; an abstraction.
noun
- 1
An abstract and general idea; an abstraction.
- 2
Understanding retained in the mind, from experience, reasoning and imagination; a generalization (generic, basic form), or abstraction (mental impression), of a particular set of instances or occurrences (specific, though different, recorded manifestations of the concept).
The words conception, concept, notion, should be limited to the thought of what can not be represented in the imagination; as, the thought suggested by a general term.
Few concepts are as emotionally charged as that of race. The word conjures up a mixture of associations—culture, ethnicity, genetics, subjugation, exclusion and persecution. But is the tragic history of efforts to define groups of people by race really a matter of the misuse of science, the abuse of a valid biological concept?
- 3
A description of supported operations on a type, including their syntax and semantics.
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin conceptusder. Middle French conceptbor. English concept Borrowed from Middle French concept, from Latin conceptus (“a thought, purpose, also a conceiving, etc.”), from concipiō (“to take in, conceive”). Doublet of conceit and concetto. See conceive.
verb
- 1
To conceive; to dream up.
Forms
- plural
- concepts
- past tense
- concepted
- past participle
- concepted
- present participle
- concepting
- third person singular
- concepts
concept · An abstract and general idea; an abstraction.
conception · The act of conceiving.concern · That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of…concerned · Showing concern.