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

The accouchement of women was intrusted in many cases to the care of educated men, who contributed not a little to the art.

From Project Gutenberg

They are particularly ill-treated at the period of their accouchement.

From Project Gutenberg

She must continue to observe many precautions until her accouchement is completed.

From Project Gutenberg

Par quel horrible accouchement la terre les a-t-elle soulevs hors de ses entrailles?'

From Project Gutenberg

It would have been inhuman in the Shelleys to decline to shelter Claire during her accouchement.

From Project Gutenberg