obstetric

or ob·stet·ri·cal

[uh b-ste-trik or uh b-ste-tri-kuh l]

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. Abbreviation: OB, ob

Origin of obstetric

1735–45; < 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

Related formsob·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. 2018

Examples from the Web for obstetrical

Historical Examples of obstetrical

In 1847, I was appointed one of the physicians to Bellevue Hospital, to which an obstetrical department was attached.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various
A woman physician whom I know was in the midst of a violent headache when called out on an obstetrical case.
Outwitting Our Nerves
Josephine A. Jackson and Helen M. Salisbury
Events had no right to be born throughout his dominions, without a preparatory course of his obstetrical pedantry.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume I.(of III) 1555-66
John Lothrop Motley
Events must not be born without a preparatory course of his obstetrical pedantry!
House of Torment
Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
Just then, even Doctor Smyth of the neighborhood practice and obstetrical habits seemed a miracle-worker.
The Job
Sinclair Lewis

British Dictionary definitions for obstetrical

obstetric

obstetrical

adjective

of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics

Derived Formsobstetrically, 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

Word Origin and History for obstetrical

obstetric

adj.

1742, from Modern Latin obstetricus "pertaining to a midwife," from obstetrix (genitive obstetricis) "midwife," literally "one who stands opposite (the woman giving birth)," from obstare "stand opposite to" (see obstacle). The true adjective would be obstetricic, "but only pedantry would take exception to obstetric at this stage of its career." [Fowler]. Related: Obstetrical.

obstetrical in Medicine

obstetric

[ŏb-stĕt′rĭk, əb-]

adj.

Of or relating to the profession of obstetrics or the care of women during and after pregnancy.