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Where does the word "obstetric" come from? It comes from Latin obstetrix, and was adopted directly into English (1740s).
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Where does the word "obstetric" come from? It comes from Latin obstetrix, and was adopted directly into English (1740s).
Obstetric’s story begins in Latin: obstetrix meant “a midwife.” A midwife, from obstare (to stand before, be present). It reached English by 1740s as obstetric. Settled as the medical word for the care of childbirth. Today, obstetric means relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the period following.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obstetrix "a midwife", a midwife, from obstare (to stand before, be present).
- Stage 2 · English · 1740s obstetric "relating to pregnancy and childbirth", settled as the medical word for the care of childbirth.