Dictionary
birth
Pronunciation: (bûrth), [key]—
n.
1. an act or instance of being born:
the day of his birth.
2. the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring; childbirth; parturition:
a difficult birth.
3. lineage; extraction; descent:
of Grecian birth.
4. high or noble lineage:
to be foolishly vain about one's birth.
5. natural heritage:
a musician by birth.
6. any coming into existence; origin; beginning:
the birth of Protestantism; the birth of an idea.
7. Archaic.something that is born.
8. give birth to,
a. to bear (a child).
b. to initiate; originate:
Her hobby gave birth to a successful business.
—
v.t. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.
1. to give birth to.
2. to assist in giving birth; act as midwife for.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.