Con"cept (?), n. [L. conceptus (cf. neut. conceptum fetus), p. p. of concipere to conceive: cf. F. concept. See Conceit.] An abstract general conception; a notion; a universal.

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.
Sir W. Hamilton.

• Something understood, and retained in the mind, from experience, reasoning or/and imagination; a generalisation (generic, basic form), or abstraction (mental impression), of a particular set of instances or occurances (specific, though different, recorded manifestations of the concept).