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obstetric

[ uhb-ste-trik ]
/ əbˈstɛ trɪk /
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adjective
of or relating to the care and treatment of women in childbirth and during the period before and after delivery.
of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics. Abbreviations: OB, ob
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Also ob·stet·ri·cal [uhb-ste-tri-kuhl] /əbˈstɛ trɪ kəl/ .

Origin of obstetric

First recorded in 1735–45; from New Latin obstetrīcus “pertaining to a midwife,” alteration of Latin obstetrīcius, derivative of obstetrīx, equivalent to ob- ob- + ste- (combining form of stāre to stand) + -trīx -trix

OTHER WORDS FROM obstetric

ob·stet·ri·cal·ly, adverbnon·ob·stet·ric, adjectivenon·ob·stet·ri·cal, adjectivenon·ob·stet·ri·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obstetric in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obstetric

obstetric

obstetrical

/ (ɒbˈstɛtrɪk) /

adjective
of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics

Derived forms of obstetric

obstetrically, adverb

Word Origin for obstetric

C18: via New Latin from Latin obstetrīcius, from obstetrix a midwife, literally: woman who stands opposite, from obstāre to stand in front of; see obstacle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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