MISCONCEPTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does misconception mean? 

• MISCONCEPTION (noun)
  The noun MISCONCEPTION has 1 sense:

1. an incorrect conception

  Familiarity information: MISCONCEPTION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MISCONCEPTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An incorrect conception

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("misconception" is a kind of...):

idea; thought (the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "misconception"):

fallacy; false belief (a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning)

erroneous belief; error (a misconception resulting from incorrect information)

self-deceit; self-deception (a misconception that is favorable to the person who holds it)

misapprehension; mistake; misunderstanding (an understanding of something that is not correct)

fancy; fantasy; illusion; phantasy (something many people believe that is false)

delusion; hallucination (a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea)

mirage (something illusory and unattainable)

unsoundness (a misconception that is fallacious and not true or valid)

Antonym:

conception (an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances)

Derivation:

misconceive (interpret in the wrong way)

 Context examples 

“Or is it a misconception of mine that shipwrecked people are always shown every consideration? This is such a little thing, you know. We are so close to land.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Poor Harriet! to be a second time the dupe of her misconceptions and flattery.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

We wished Mr. Copperfield to be accompanied by some confidential friend today,” with an inclination of her head towards Traddles, who bowed, “in order that there might be no doubt or misconception on this subject. If Mr. Copperfield, or if you, Mr. Traddles, feel the least scruple, in giving this promise, I beg you to take time to consider it.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

You must give him your own answer: we cannot expect him to be satisfied with less; and you only can explain to him the grounds of that misconception of your sentiments, which, unfortunately for himself, he certainly has imbibed.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

You bring with you certain fine conceptions of humanity, manhood, conduct, and such things; but here you will find them misconceptions. I have found it so, I added, with an involuntary sigh.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Had the same behaviour continued, Miss Smith might have been led into a misconception of your views; not being aware, probably, any more than myself, of the very great inequality which you are so sensible of.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

So I take advantage of this short halt, while Gatsby, so to speak, caught his breath, to clear this set of misconceptions away.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)