mid|wife

mid|wife «MIHD _WYF», noun, plural -wives, verb, -wifed, -wif|ing or -wived «-wihvd», -wiv|ing.

–n.

1. a woman who helps women in childbirth, especially a woman trained by schooling or experience.

2. Figurative. a person who helps to bring forth something new: »

This remarkable machine has been giving its midwives—among others—some headaches…since it came into operation (New Scientist).

–v.t.

to help bring forth (something new): »

Down the years since W. C. Handy midwifed the blues... (Time). Central banks might take a hand…in midwiving such an operation (London Times).

╂[Middle English midwyf < Old English mid with + wīf woman]