midwife

[ mid-wahyf ]

noun

, plural mid·wives [mid, -wahyvz].

1. a person trained to assist women in childbirth.
2. a person or thing that produces or aids in producing something new or different.

verb (used with object)

, mid·wifed or mid·wived, mid·wif·ing or mid·wiv·ing.

1. to assist in the birth of (a baby).
2. to produce or aid in producing (something new):

   to midwife a new generation of computers.

midwife

/ ˈmɪdˌwaɪf /

noun

1. a person qualified to deliver babies and to care for women before, during, and after childbirth

Word History and Origins

Origin of midwife¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English midwif, from mid “with, accompanying” ( Old English; meta- ) + wif “woman” ( Old English wīf; wife )

Word History and Origins

Origin of midwife¹

C14: from Old English mid with + wif woman

Example Sentences

His small-scale initiative has now blossomed into a movement, with more than 40 men and women - from midwives to carpenters to military officers - joining.

From BBC

A leading midwife who has led reviews into care failings in the NHS has criticised the health service for "failing" to give her daughter safe care.

From BBC

When she begged for care, a midwife told her, “This is a Catholic country.”

From Salon

It was the paediatric matron in Bridgend who spotted the lie about her qualification date, while checking her registration code which all nurses, midwives and nurse associates must have to work in the UK.

From BBC

He said that they had a midwife on tour with them and “were prepared if it were to happen,” but they thought they had a week or so left before the baby arrived.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• obstetrician