CONCEIT, n. [L., to take or seize.] 1. Conception; that which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind; idea; thought; image.In laughing there ever precedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous, and therefore it is proper to man.2. Understanding; power or faculty of conceiving; apprehension; as a man of quick conceit. [Nearly antiquated.]How often did her eyes say to me, that they loved! Yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them.3. Opinion; notion; fancy; imagination; fantastic notion; as a strange or odd conceit.Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. Proverbs 26.4. Pleasant fancy; gayety of imagination.On the way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit.5. A striking thought; affected or unnatural conception.Some to conceit alone their works confine.6. Favorable or self-flattering opinion; a lofty or vain conception of ones own person or accomplishments.By a little study and a great conceit of himself, he has lost his religion.Out of conceit with, not having a favorable opinion of; no longer pleased with; as, a man is out of conceit with his dress. Hence to put one out of conceit with, is to make him indifferent to a thing, or in a degree displeased with it.CONCEIT, v.t. To conceive; to imagine; to think; to fancy. The strong, by conceiting themselves weak, thereby rendered inactive.
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