preconception

What it means

1. An opinion formed before obtaining adequate evidence, especially as the result of bias or prejudice.

   He told RAIL: "We had no preconceptions, but you would assume a newer train to have better air quality than an older one. We found that was not necessarily the case.

   2021 October 6, Paul Clifton, “Network News: RSSB research exposes poor air quality on diesel trains”, in RAIL, number 941, page 14

   1 more example

   With many of the more general preconceptions of socialist thought the connection of their more practical proposals is by no means at once obvious, and in consequence many men who believe themselves to be determined opponents of that system of thought become in fact effective spreaders of its ideas.

   1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 422

   Synonyms: foreconception

2. A prejudice that prevents rational consideration of an issue.

In a sentence

With many of the more general preconceptions of socialist thought the connection of their more practical proposals is by no means at once obvious, and in consequence many men who believe themselves to be determined opponents of that system of thought become in fact effective spreaders of its ideas.

1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 422

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
3. Proto-Indo-European*préh₂i?
4. Proto-Italic*prai
5. Proto-Italic*prai-
6. Latinprae-
7. Middle Englishpre-
8. Englishpre-
9. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
10. Proto-Indo-European*ḱóm
11. Proto-Italic*kom
12. Proto-Italic*kom-
13. Latincon-
14. Proto-Indo-European*kap-
15. Proto-Indo-European*kapyéti
16. Proto-Italic*kapjō
17. Latincapiō
18. Ancient Greekσῠλλᾰμβᾰ́νω (sŭllămbắnō)
19. Latinconcipiō
20. Latinconceptiō
21. Old Frenchconception
22. Middle Englishconcepcioun
23. Englishconception
24. Englishpreconception

From pre- + conception.