Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Conceit
Con-ceit′
,Noun.
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.
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.
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. Shakespeare
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
And glittering thoughts struck out at every line.
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.
5.
An overweening idea of one's self; vanity.
Plumed with
conceit
he calls aloud. Cotton.
6.
Design; pattern.
[Obs.]
Shak.
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.
Con-ceit′
,Verb.
T.
To conceive; to imagine.
[Archaic]
The strong, by
conceiting
themselves weak, are therebly rendered as inactive . . . as if they really were so. South.
One of two bad ways you must
Either a coward or a flatterer.
conceit
me,Either a coward or a flatterer.
Shakespeare
Con-ceit′
,Verb.
I.
To form an idea; to think.
[Obs.]
Those whose . . . vulgar apprehensions
conceit
but low of matrimonial purposes. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Conceit
CONCEIT
,Noun.
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
,Verb.
T.
The strong, by conceiting themselves weak, thereby rendered inactive.