accouchement

[ uh-koosh-muhnt; French a-koosh-mahn ]

noun

, plural ac·couche·ments [uh, -, koosh, -m, uh, nts, a, -koosh-, mahn],

1. the confinement of childbirth; lying-in.

accouchement

/ akuʃmɑ̃; əˈkuːʃmənt /

noun

1. childbirth or the period of confinement

Word History and Origins

Origin of accouchement¹

1800–10; < French, derivative, with -ment -ment, of accoucher to give birth, be delivered, assist in giving birth, Old French: to lie down, take to bed, equivalent to ac- ac- + coucher to put to bed; couch

Word History and Origins

Origin of accouchement¹

C19: from accoucher to put to bed, to give birth. See couch

Example Sentences

Simply called a "Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Salad," it features warmed, crispy vegetables; cool accouchements like cheese, dates and almonds; and the amazing inclusion of Calabrian chili paste in the dressing.

From Salon

Buckingham Palace used the Court Circular to clarify the circumstances of what happened in a bid to correct any "erroneous" accounts about the Queen's "accouchement" - confinement after child birth.

From BBC

She presided at numerous artistic accouchements; she was, pre-eminently, the critical midwife to many poets, pianists, painters, composers, and thinkers.

From Project Gutenberg

Euphemia said that her acquaintance with Agnes Sampson began with her first accouchement, when she applied to her to mitigate her pains, and she did so by transferring them to a dog.

From Project Gutenberg

For Anne of Brittany's accouchement the other ambassadors had ordered coloured clothes; he alone has to appear in black garments, and is much distressed.

From Project Gutenberg