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birth definition

birth (bʉrt̸h)

noun

  1. the act of bringing forth offspring
  2. the act or fact of coming into life, or of being born; nativity
  3. origin or natal background a Spaniard by birth
  4. good or noble lineage a man of birth
  5. the beginning of anything the birth of a nation
  6. an inherited or natural inclination or talent an actress by birth

Etymology: ME birthe, burthe < ON byrth, akin to OE gebyrde, byrde, Goth gabaurths < IE *bhrto, pp. of base *bher-, bear

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to give birth (to)

adjective

relating or related biologically rather than by adoption; natural: often used in combination birth mother, birthparent
birth Idioms

give birth

to bring forth offspring

give birth to

  1. to bring forth (offspring)
  2. to be the cause or origin of; originate; create

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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