Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for howdie. Search instead for powdived.

howdie

American  
[hou-dee, ou-, hoh-dee, oh-dee] / ˈhaʊ di, ˈaʊ-, ˈhoʊ di, ˈoʊ di /

noun

Scot. and North England Slang.
  1. a midwife.


Etymology

Origin of howdie

Origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The creeshie rax wi' skelpin' kaes  Nae mair the howdie bicker whangs, Nor weanies in their wee bit claes  Glour light as lammies wi' their sangs.

From The Humorous Poetry of the English Language; from Chaucer to Saxe by Parton, James

There's mirth among the kin when the howdie cries "A son."

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

It seems to me," said the flustered howdie, "that it was but last night that I left for Keppoch.

From Literary Tours in The Highlands and Islands of Scotland by Holmes, Daniel Turner

The howdie, or midwife, was a person of much consequence.

From Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville by Somerville, Mary

Jenny cried, wi' blushing cheeks, 'Eneugh! we've seen the Skipper's breeks, Sic zeal may weel become a howdie, I draw the line at breeks,' quo' Jenny Braidie.

From A Golfing Idyll or The Skipper's Round with the Deil On the Links of St. Andrews by Flint, Violet

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training