midwife

Meaning

Noun

1. A person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth, but who is not a physician.
2. (figuratively, rare) Someone who assists in bringing about some result or project.

Verb

1. (transitive) To act as a midwife.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To facilitate the emergence of.

Synonyms

obstetrician

accoucheuse

nurse

deliver

granny

maternity nurse

old woman

surgeon

wise woman

accoucheur

child’s nurse

cummer

nurse-midwife

foster-mother

gp muchingi kz

grannie

maternal grandmother

Translations

sage-femme

Hebamme

levatrice

partera

vroedvrouw

comadrona

parteira

verloskundige

accoucheuse

ostetrica

Geburtshelferin

llevadora

μαία

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmɪd.waɪf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: midwif

In summary

From Middle English midwif, corresponding to mid (“with”) + wif (“woman, wife, female”). It appears not to be entirely clear whether the original understanding was “with-woman” in the sense of “attending/assisting woman”, or “they who are with the woman” (namely the mother).