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

“It was absolutely horrendous. We were really struggling, having to scrounge around for masks and gloves,“ says Mandi Masters, a community midwife from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

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

Ailish McEntee, the midwife in charge of safeguarding adults and children at MSI Reproductive Choices, one of the UK’s largest abortion providers, welcomes the buffer zones.

From BBC

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

From Salon

Gucciardo’s midwife staff helped women give birth in unsanitized rooms, due to lack of disinfectant.

From Salon

Related Words

• obstetrician