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Preconception Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคฐ
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preconception

[หŒpriหkษ™nหˆsษ›pสƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

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.
Context #2 | Noun

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?

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Word Description / Examples
preconception

This entry is a repeat of the first; it serves the same neutral purpose.

  • Her preconception about the potential client turned out to be accurate
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.

  • He faced prejudice at work because of his background
bias

Often used in a negative context to indicate an unfair preference or prejudice for or against someone or something.

  • The reporter was accused of bias in his coverage of the election
preconceived notion

Used to describe an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence, typically carrying a negative connotation. It implies a lack of objectivity.

  • His preconceived notion about the artist's work made him miss its deeper meaning

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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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 charactersโ€™ 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.

Origin of 'preconception'

Main points about word origin

  • 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 โ€˜pre-โ€™ is used in many words to indicate something that occurs beforehand, like 'preview' or 'premature'.

The word 'preconception' originated in the early 19th century from the combination of the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and the word 'conception.' It initially referred to the period before conception or pregnancy. Over time, it also came to be used to describe preconceived ideas or biases. The term is commonly used in discussions about family planning, pregnancy, and psychology.

See also: misconceptions.

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.