midwive

English

Etymology

From Middle English *midwiven, *mydwyven, suggested by the verbal noun mydwyvyng (“midwivery”, literally “midwiving”).

Verb

midwive (third-person singular simple present midwives, present participle midwiving, simple past and past participle midwived)

1. Alternative form of midwife (verb)
   • 1996, William C. Nichols, Treating People in Families, page 155:

     “Midwiving the relationship” is a descriptive term covering a variety of sensitive and often subtle techniques, interventions, and other actions and stances taken by the therapist in order to help the marital partners attempt the following: […]

   • 2013, Mark Gevisser, Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred:

     He had midwived Inkatha and drafted most of the ANC's policy concerning it, and now at the meeting, he – rather than others who were senior to him – played the key role as Tambo's second.

   • 2017, Caroline Bicks, Midwiving Subjects in Shakespeare’s England, page 123:

     Despite Richard's efforts to midwive his own narrative of legitimacy, the source of this legendary one cannot be controlled because it has moved from the mouths of nurses, midwives and gossips into the public domain.