late 14c., "something formed in the mind, thought, notion," from conceiven (see conceive) based on analogy of deceit and receipt. Sense evolved from "something formed in the mind," to "fanciful or witty notion" (1510s), to "vanity" (c. 1600) through shortening of self-conceit (1580s).[conceit etymology, conceit origin, 英语词源]