Immaculate Conception

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. the dogma of the unique privilege by which the Virgin Mary was conceived in her mother's womb without the stain of original sin through the anticipated merits of Jesus Christ.

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Immaculate Conception British  

noun

1. Christian theol RC Church the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin

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Immaculate Conception Cultural  

1. A doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. It states that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin (see also original sin).

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Etymology

Origin of Immaculate Conception

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

“This is the immaculate conception view that all you have to do is give us the right technology and the world will come to us. Unfortunately, when it happens like that, it’s a fluke.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2022

“But I can’t pretend there was sort of an immaculate conception here where Mr. Avenatti suddenly became this incredibly public lawyer magically,” Gardephe said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2020

From Boltzmann’s era onward, scientists allergic to the notion of such an immaculate conception have been grappling with this conundrum.

From Scientific American • Dec. 8, 2014

He states that a belief in the immaculate conception of Christ is a “cornerstone of faith” and a sign of “God’s creative power.”

From Time • Nov. 22, 2012

Dad’s theories ranged from Esperanto, which he made us study because he thought it was the answer to half the world’s problems, to immaculate conception, which he said wasn’t supported by available biological evidence.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey