01 n. That which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind; idea; thought; image; conception.
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1.
That which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind; idea; thought; image; conception.“In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous.” — Bacon.“A man wise in his own conceit.” — Prov. xxvi. 12.
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2.
Faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension; as, a man of quick conceit.[Obs.]“How often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them.” — Sir P. Sidney.
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3.
Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.“His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there's more conceit in him than is in a mallet.” — Shak.
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4.
A fanciful, odd, or extravagant notion; a quant fancy; an unnatural or affected conception; a witty thought or turn of expression; a fanciful device; a whim; a quip.“On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit.” — L'Estrange.“Some to conceit alone their works confine, And glittering thoughts struck out at every line.” — Pope.“Tasso is full of conceits . . . which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature.” — Dryden.
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5.
An overweening idea of one's self; vanity.“Plumed with conceit he calls aloud.” — Cotton.
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6.
Design; pattern.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
In conceit with —
in accord with; agreeing or conforming.
Out of conceit with —
not having a favorable opinion of; not pleased with; as, a man is out of conceit with his dress.
To put (one) out of conceit with —
to make one indifferent to a thing, or in a degree displeased with it.