conceits

Noun

conceit (countable and uncountable, plural conceits)

1. (obsolete) Something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.
   • In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous.1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted...
2. The faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension.
   • a man of quick conceit
3. Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.
   • His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there is no more conceit in him than is in a mallet.c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […]...
4. (obsolete) Opinion, (neutral) judgment.
5. (archaic, dialectal) Esteem, favourable opinion.
   • By him that me boughte, than quod Dysdayne, / I wonder sore he is in suche cenceyte.1499, John Skelton, The Bowge of Courte
6. (countable) A novel or fanciful idea; a whim.
   • On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit.1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC

See all 11 meanings of conceit