Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth, but who is not a physician.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Someone who assists in bringing about some result or project.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To act as a midwife.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To facilitate the emergence of.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: accoucheuse
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: nurse
History
From Middle English midwif, corresponding to mid (“with”) + wif (“woman, wife, female”). It appears not to be entirely clear whether the original understanding was “with-woman” in the sense of “attending/assisting woman”, or “they who are with the woman” (namely the mother).
Across languages
269 source translations are retained for this English entry.
