afterpain
|af-ter-pain|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈæftərˌpeɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːftəˌpeɪn/
post-childbirth discomfort
Etymology
Etymology Information
'afterpain' originates from the combination of 'after' and 'pain', where 'after' indicates a subsequent time and 'pain' refers to physical discomfort.
Historical Evolution
'Afterpain' has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning since its inception in English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'pain occurring after an event', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
pain that occurs after childbirth, often due to the uterus contracting back to its normal size.
The new mother experienced afterpains as her body began to recover.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/26 20:06