Preconception: meaning, definitions and examples
🤰
preconception
[ˌpriːkənˈsɛpʃən ]
Definitions
before birth
Preconception refers to the period of time before conception or before a baby is born. It includes the planning, preparation, and considerations that happen before a pregnancy.
Examples of usage
- Good preconception health is important for a healthy pregnancy.
- Many couples seek advice during the preconception period.
- She attended a preconception counseling session before trying to conceive.
preconceived idea
A preconception is an idea or opinion that is formed before there is enough information or evidence. It can lead to biases or misunderstandings.
Synonyms
bias, preconceived notion, prejudice.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
preconception |
This entry is a repeat of the first; it serves the same neutral purpose.
|
prejudice |
Commonly used when negative judgement is made without proper knowledge or examination, particularly in social contexts related to race, gender, or ethnicity. It has a strong negative connotation.
|
bias |
Often used in a negative context to indicate an unfair preference or prejudice for or against someone or something.
|
preconceived notion |
Used to describe an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence, typically carrying a negative connotation. It implies a lack of objectivity.
|
Examples of usage
- She had a preconception that all doctors were unfriendly.
- Try not to have any preconceptions about the outcome before we have all the facts.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Latin 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'conceptio' meaning 'a receiving or taking together'.
- It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, reflecting how ideas can be formed before gaining full knowledge.
- The prefix ‘pre-’ is used in many words to indicate something that occurs beforehand, like 'preview' or 'premature'.
Psychology
- Preconceptions can influence how we interpret new information, leading to biases in judgment.
- Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, often lead people to favor information that aligns with their preconceptions.
- Psychologists study how these beliefs can affect personal relationships and decision-making.
Culture
- Many cultures have preconceptions about different social groups that can lead to stereotypes and misunderstandings.
- In art and literature, characters often challenge societal preconceptions, leading to growth and discovery.
- Education aims to address and reshape preconceptions to create more open-minded individuals.
Literature
- Literary themes often explore how preconceptions shape characters’ actions and relationships.
- Many classic novels, like 'Pride and Prejudice', illustrate how characters must confront their own preconceptions.
- Writers use preconception as a device to create tension or surprise when the truth is revealed.
Science
- In scientific research, preconceptions can hinder objective analysis, making peer review crucial.
- Theories and hypotheses are often scrutinized to eliminate preconceptions and validate findings.
- Scientists strive to remain objective and avoid letting preconceptions influence their experiments.
Translations
Translations of the word "preconception" in other languages:
🇵🇹 preconceito
🇮🇳 पूर्वाग्रह
🇩🇪 Vorurteil
🇮🇩 prasangka
🇺🇦 упередження
🇵🇱 uprzedzenie
🇯🇵 先入観 (せんにゅうかん)
🇫🇷 préjugé
🇪🇸 prejuicio
🇹🇷 önyargı
🇰🇷 선입견
🇸🇦 تحيز
🇨🇿 předsudek
🇸🇰 predsudok
🇨🇳 成见 (chéngjiàn)
🇸🇮 predsodek
🇮🇸 fordóma
🇰🇿 алалаушылық
🇬🇪 წინასწარი შეხედულება
🇦🇿 qərəz
🇲🇽 prejuicio
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #31,696 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 31693 sternest
- 31694 ipecac
- 31695 aestheticism
- 31696 preconception
- 31697 unrewarded
- 31698 doge
- 31699 scamper
- ...