Dic: conceive sth; conceive of sth

1. conceive (of) sth:

  - to develop or form, esp. in the mind.
  - If you conceive a plan or idea, you think of it and work out how it can be done.

• She had conceived the idea of a series of novels.
• He conceived of the first truly portable computer in 1968.
• She conceived a passion for music.

2. conceive of sth / conceive N-clause

  - (1) to have an idea of; imagine; think. (2) to hold as an opinion; believe
  - If you cannot conceive of something, you cannot imagine it or believe it.
  - If you conceive (of) something as a particular thing, you consider it to be that thing.

• I just can't even conceive of that quantity of money.
• He was immensely ambitious but unable to conceive of winning power for himself.
• The ancients conceived the earth as afloat in water.
• We conceive of the family as being in a constant state of change.
• Elvis conceived of himself as a ballad singer.
• Language may be conceived of as a process which arises from social interaction.
• I can hardly conceive what it must be like here in winter.
• He could not conceive that anything really serious could be worrying his friend.

..... Collins, Cobuild, LDOCE

CF.

• The state is about efficient administration, not about power and conflict. 
• He conceives of the state as about efficient administration, not about power and conflict.
• The state is conceived of as about efficient administration, not about power and conflict.