| 释义 |
† obˈstetricate, v. Obs.
[f. ppl. stem of L. obstetrīcāre, f. obstetrīc-em midwife.]
1. intr. To act as midwife; to aid in childbirth. Also fig.
1623Cockeram, Obstetricate, to play the Midwife. 1652Sancroft Mod. Policies, Colasterion, Tis pitty that such a Sacred thing should be..made to obstetricate to rebellious irregular designes. 1664Evelyn Sylva 53 Some advise us to break the shells of Pines to facilitate their delivery, and I have essay'd it; but to my loss; Nature does obstetricate, and do that office of her self when it is the best season. 1809Edin. Rev. XIII. 458 Russia..will probably..obstetricate at the birth of those affiliated kingdoms that are to be extracted from the bowels of the Austrian monarchy.
2. trans. To bring to the birth; to help the delivery of. Chiefly fig.
1651in Hartlib's Legacy (1655) 237 Though you were not the parent of this husbandry, yet you were the hand that did obstetricate and give it birth which else had been strangled in a private hand. 1655W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. (1669) 405/2 Prayer hath had the name of old for its excellent usefulness to obstetricate mercies. 1671True Nonconf. 261 He..neither needeth a Set-form, to obstetricat his expression, nor therein confineth himself to it. |