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obstetric (adj.)
"of or pertaining to a midwife or midwifery," 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.
updated on July 26, 2019
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Dictionary entries near obstetric
obsolesce
obsolescence
obsolescent
obsolete
obstacle
obstetric
obstetrician
obstetrics
obstinacy
obstinance
obstinate