noun
midwife
MIHD-wyf
noun
1
A trained professional, usually not a doctor, who helps women give birth.
"Her midwife stayed with her throughout the entire labour."
2
Someone or something that helps bring about an important change or outcome.
"The mentor acted as a midwife to the young writer's first novel."
verb
1
To work as a midwife, assisting in childbirth.
"She has midwifed hundreds of babies over her career."
2
To help something difficult come into being.
"The negotiator midwifed a fragile peace deal."
How to Use Midwife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA birth specialist, or by extension, anyone who helps guide something new into existence.
Common pairings
certified midwife
midwife a birth
midwife an agreement
Word Forms
midwifed past tense, midwives plural, midwifes singular, midwive verb form, midwive verb form
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Etymology
From Middle English midwif, from "mid" ("with") + "wif" ("woman") — literally "with-woman", someone who is with the mother during birth.