birth
birth Lexical Profile
birth Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being.
"The entire family gathered at the hospital to celebrate the birth of their first grandchild."
The beginning, origin, or coming into existence of an institution, idea, or movement.
"Historians often study the social conditions that led to the birth of modern democracy."
A person's origin, parentage, or family extraction, especially when regarded as high or noble.
"Although she was Russian by birth, she spent the majority of her academic career in Paris."
• verb
To give birth to a baby or young offspring, or to assist a mother during delivery.
"The mare successfully birthed a healthy foal in the quiet barn early this morning."
To originate, generate, or bring a new concept, movement, or creation into existence.
"The intense scientific collaboration during the conference birthed several groundbreaking research projects."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the biological and figurative noun/verb 'birth' with its homophone 'berth', which refers to a ship's mooring space, a sleeping bunk on a vessel or train, or a position in a sports tournament.
• Rhymes for birth
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'birthe', derived from Old Norse 'byrðr' (meaning 'birth'), which goes back to the Proto-Germanic root '*burthiz' (a bearing or burden) and is closely related to the verb 'bear'.