MID'WIFE, n. supposed by Junius and Skinner to be meedwife, a woman that has a reward. This is probably a mistake. The word is a compound of mid, with, and wif,a woman; in analogy with the L. obstetrix, from obsto, obstiti, to stand before. L. cum, with, and madre, mother, which is precisely analogous to midwife.
A woman that assists other women in childbirth.
MID'WIFE, v.i. To perform the office of midwife.
MID'WIFE, v.t. To assist in childbirth.
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