'preconceive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praeconcipere,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'concipere' meant 'to take in or conceive.'

'praeconcipere' transformed into the French word 'préconcevoir,' and eventually became the modern English word 'preconceive' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to take in or conceive beforehand,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.