obstetric

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: ob=stet=ric

CIDE DICTIONARY

obstetric, a. [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstacle.].

•  Of or pertaining to childbirth, midwifery, or the period around the time of the birth of children; as, the obstetric art.  [1913 Webster]
•  Of or pertaining to obstetrics; as, the obstetric unit of a hospital.  [PJC]

Obstetrical toad (Zoöl.), a European toad of the genus Alytes, especially Alytes obstetricans. The eggs are laid in a string which the male winds around his legs, and carries about until the young are hatched.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

obstetric, adj. (also obstetrical) of or relating to childbirth and associated processes.

Derivative

obstetrically adv. obstetrician n.

Etymology

mod.L obstetricus for L obstetricius f. obstetrix midwife f. obstare be present (as OB-, stare stand)