*notion*

[ L. notio, fr. noscere to know: cf. F. notion. See Know. ] 1. Mental apprehension of whatever may be known or imagined; an idea; a conception; more properly, a general or universal conception, as distinguishable or definable by marks or notae. [ 1913 Webster ]

What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself to assume under the notion of principles. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Few agree in their notions about these words. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color, thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the “idea” of hunger, cold, etc. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Notion, again, signifies either the act of apprehending, signalizing, that is, the remarking or taking note of, the various notes, marks, or characters of an object which its qualities afford, or the result of that act. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sentiment; an opinion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The extravagant notion they entertain of themselves. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

A perverse will easily collects together a system of notions to justify itself in its obliquity. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Sense; mind. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An invention; an ingenious device; a knickknack; as, Yankee notions. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Inclination; intention; disposition; as, I have a notion to do it. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Miscellaneous small objects; sundries; -- usually referring to articles displayed together for sale. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Consisting of, or conveying, notions or ideas; expressing abstract conceptions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Existing in idea only; visionary; whimsical. [ 1913 Webster ]

Discourses of speculative and notional things. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Given to foolish or visionary expectations; whimsical; fanciful; as, a notional man. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A notional or groundless opinion. [ R. ] Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In mental apprehension; in conception; not in reality. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two faculties . . . notionally or really distinct. Norris. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Notional. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One whose opinions are ungrounded notions. [ R. ] Bp. Hopkins. [ 1913 Webster ]