conceit

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱóm
3. Proto-Italic*kom
4. Proto-Italic*kom-
5. Latincon-
6. Proto-Indo-European*kap-
7. Proto-Indo-European*kapyéti
8. Proto-Italic*kapjō
9. Latincapiō
10. Ancient Greekσῠλλᾰμβᾰ́νω (sŭllămbắnō)
11. Latinconcipiō
12. Old Frenchconcevoir
13. Middle Englishconceyven
14. Middle Englishconceyte
15. English todayconceit

From Middle English conceyte, formed from conceyven by analogy with pairs such as (Modern English) deceive~deceit, receive~receipt etc. Doublet of concept and concetto. Akin to Portuguese conceito.

First known use, by meaning

• 14th–18th c. Something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.
• 14th–18th c. Opinion, (neutral) judgment.
• from 15th c. Esteem, favourable opinion.
• from 16th c. A novel or fanciful idea; a whim.
• from 16th c. An ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
• from 17th c. Overly high self-esteem; vain pride; hubris.