afterbirths
|af-ter-births|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈæftərˌbɜrθs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːftəˌbɜːθs/
(afterbirth)
post-birth expulsion
Etymology
Etymology Information
'afterbirth' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'afterbirthe', where 'after' meant 'following' and 'birth' meant 'the act of being born'.
Historical Evolution
'afterbirthe' transformed into the modern English word 'afterbirth'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'the act of being born following', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'placenta and fetal membranes'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus after childbirth.
The midwife ensured the afterbirths were completely expelled.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/25 18:06