rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybirthBeing born
noun / verb

birth

BURTH/bɜːrθ/

The coming of a young animal into independent life.

After the birth, a midwife places the newborn in its mother's arms.

A midwife places a freshly swaddled newborn into the waiting arms of its mother on a maternity bed.
Etymology
birOld Norsebear, give birth
+thEnglishact, process

The root is shared with Old Norse bera, meaning “bear” or “give birth,” while -th names a process. Birth thus names the event of being brought forth; its immediate source is identified only broadly as Scandinavian.

In context

Terra Mater12:46
Grey seals give birth in winter for a similar reason: there are few predators
How Baby Animals Survive in the Wild | HD Nature Documentary

More examples

  • The invention marks the birth of a new industry.
  • The old law granted privileges according to birth.
  • The mare birthed a healthy foal during the night.

Forms

birth · births · birthed · birthing

Similar words

delivery
Emphasizes the process of bringing a baby into the world.
origin
Names a beginning without the literal childbirth sense.