preconceive

Preconceive is a transitive verb meaning to form or hold an idea, opinion, or expectation about something before having adequate evidence or before fully considering the relevant facts. It is often used with the noun preconceived notion or preconceived idea, which refer to an opinion formed in advance.

Etymology: The word derives from the prefix pre- meaning before, and conceive, from Latin concipere “to take in; to conceive.” The form preconceived is the common participle/adjective. The core sense is to take an idea into the mind ahead of consideration of the facts.

Usage and connotations: In neutral contexts, to preconceive describes forming a view early. However, it frequently carries a negative connotation, implying bias or a failure to evaluate evidence impartially. In fields such as journalism, science, and law, avoiding preconceived notions is encouraged to maintain objectivity; distinguishing between priors or preconceptions and data is a common methodological concern. A typical example is: The researcher should not preconceive the outcome.

Related terms and distinctions: Preconception is a related noun referring to an opinion formed beforehand, or a reproductive concept about pregnancy. Preconceived is the common adjective describing opinions formed in advance. The idea connects to bias and to critical-thinking practices that seek to minimize preconceptions, such as careful evidence review and preregistration in research.