Spinoza Definitions VIII

Question

Please which of the meanings CONCEIVED is used in this context: VIII By Eternity, I mean existence itself, in so far as it is conceived necessarily to follow solely from the definition of that which is eternal.

CONCEIVE -

1. To become pregnant with (offspring): She conceived her first child in London, but her second child was conceived in Paris.
2. To form or develop in the mind: conceive a plan to increase profits; conceive a passion for a new acquaintance.
3. To apprehend mentally; understand: couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence.
4. To be of the opinion that; think: didn't conceive that such a tragedy could occur.
5. To begin or originate in a specific way: a political movement that was conceived in the ferment of the 1960s. v.intr.
6. To form or hold an idea: Ancient peoples conceived of the earth as flat.
7. To become pregnant

Answer 1

"Conceiving" is the activity of the mind (compare it with "perceive").

We may rephrase it as "To understand, to think something truly." Thus, I would chose 3. understand.

Understanding is the "basic" act of mind. The term is from Descartes; see Meditations, V, 9 :

"I cannot conceive a God unless as existing",

translated from the original Latin :

"ne possim quidem cogitare Deum nisi existentem".