midwife

American  

[mid-wahyf] / ˈmɪdˌwaɪf /

noun

plural

midwives

1. a person trained to assist women in childbirth.

2. a person or thing that produces or aids in producing something new or different.

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verb (used with object)

midwifed, midwived, midwifing, midwiving

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 British  

/ ˈmɪdˌwaɪf /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of midwife

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

Example Sentences

Other factors, such as pathology services and the number of nurses and midwives per 1000 people, appear to play a smaller role at present.

From Science Daily

McAreavey said her mother - who had been a midwife, nurse and primary school teacher - had led a life "of helping others".

From BBC

Mum Alanah said: "The midwives have been unbelievable, so well looked after. A great start to the New Year."

From BBC

Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing.

From BBC

In the foreground, the midwife, known from Byzantine tradition as Salome, meets Joseph’s eyes as she steadies the water he pours into the baby’s bathtub.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• obstetrician