obstetriciann.
/ˌɒbstᵻˈtrɪʃn/, /ˌɒbstɛˈtrɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌɑbztəˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌɑbstəˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/ A person who assists in childbirth; a midwife, an accoucheur. Later: spec. a physician specializing in obstetrics; a qualified practitioner of obstetrics.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > healer > one skilled in obstetrics or midwifery > [noun]
midwifec1300
childwifea1387
midwomana1400
Lucinac1405
matron?a1425
grace-wifec1600
Mother Midnight1602
headswoman1615
handwoman1637
sage woman1672
howdie1725
accoucheur1727
granny1738
obstetrix1773
accoucheuse1795
dukun1817
fingersmith1819
wise woman1821
obstetrician1826
obstetrist1873
tocologist1902
birth attendant1910
S.C.M.1935
monitrice1969
1826 Lancet 22 July 526/1 The rounded delicacy of his form, and the feminine delicacy of his manner, peculiarly fitted him for the duties of an obstetrician.
1828 M. Ryan Man. Midwifery p. v It may be necessary to say a few words apologetic, for my adoption of the word obstetrician.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 119/1 Obstetricians may oppose it, but I believe our patients themselves will force the use of it on the profession.
1903 Science 10 Apr. 569/2 The physician smokes too much, the obstetrician falls in love, and even the psychologist makes a fool of himself much as any other man.
1957 J. Thurber Alarms & Diversions i. 3 I once asked a distinguished obstetrician which he would rather be called upon to deliver, male quintuplets or female quintuplets.
1984 A. Hailey Strong Medicine i. vi. 50 Celia had been firm about birth procedures, which caused an early clash with her obstetrician.
2001 Men's Health May 106/2 A running back, like an obstetrician, has to spend a lot of time in a crouch.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1826