Obstetricate - Obverse

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Obstetricate (ŏbstĕtrĭkāt), v. i. [L. obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] “Nature does obstetricate.” Evelyn.
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Obstetricate, v. t. To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.
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Obstetrication (?), n. The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Obstetrician (?), n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur; especially, a physician who specializes in obstetrics.
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Obstetricious (?), a. [See .] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [Obs.]
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Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious. Cudworth.
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Obstetrics (ŏbstĕtrĭks), n. [Cf. F. obstétrique. See .] 1. The science of midwifery. [archaic]
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2. The branch of medicine that deals with childbirth or the care of women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.
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Obstetricy (?), n. Obstetrics. [Obs.] Dunglison.
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Obstinacy (?), n. [See .] 1. A fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.
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You do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.
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To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of their terms. Locke.
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2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil.
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Syn. -- Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. -- , . Pertinacity denotes great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy. Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy generally in a bad one. “In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error.” Sir T. Browne. “Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion.” South.
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Obstinate (?), a. [L. obstinatus, p. p. of obstinare to set about a thing with firmness, to persist in; ob (see ) + a word from the root of stare to stand. See , and cf. .] 1. Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually implying unreasonableness.
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I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking no wine. Sir W. Temple.
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No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate. Pope.
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Of sense and outward things. Wordsworth.
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2. Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.
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Syn. -- Stubborn; inflexible; immovable; firm; pertinacious; persistent; headstrong; opinionated; unyielding; refractory; contumacious. See .
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-- Obstinately, adv. -- Obstinateness, n.
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Obstination (?), n. [L. obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubbornness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
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Obstipation (?), n. [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see ) + stipare to press.] 1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.
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2. (Med.) Extreme constipation. [Obs.] Hooper.
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Obstreperous (?), a. [L. obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a noise at; ob (see ) + strepere to make a noise.] 1. Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; clamorous; noisy; vociferous. “The obstreperous city.” Wordsworth. “Obstreperous approbation.” Addison.
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Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks. B. Jonson.
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2. Resistant to control; unruly.
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-- Obstreperously, adv. -- Obstreperousness, n.
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Obstriction (?), n. [L. obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or about.] The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.
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Obstringe (?), v. t. [See .] To constrain; to put under obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.
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Obstruct (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see ) + struere to pile up. See .]
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1. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body.
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'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear. Pope.
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2. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation. “Th' impatience of obstructed love.” Johnson.
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Syn. -- To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt; clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.
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Obstructer (?), n. One who obstructs or hinders.
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Obstruction (?), n. [L. obstructio.] 1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.
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2. That which obstructs or impedes; an obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance.
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A popular assembly free from obstruction. Swift.
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3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death. [Poetic]
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To die, and go we know not where,
To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot. Shak.
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Syn. -- ; bar; barrier; impediment; clog; check; hindrance. -- , . The difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology; an obstacle is something standing in the way; an obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove obstructions; we surmount obstacles.
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Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an intimate friendship than inequality of fortune. Collier.
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The king expected to meet with all the obstructions and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his way. Clarendon.
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Obstructionism (?), n. The act or the policy of obstructing progress. Lond. Lit. World.
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Obstructionist, n. One who deliberately hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative body. -- a. Of or pertaining to obstructionists; causing obstruction; as, obstructionist tactics. [Recent]
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Obstructive (?), a. [Cf. F. obstrictif.] Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. -- Obstructively, adv.
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Obstructive, n. An obstructive person or thing.
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Obstruent (?), a. [L. obstruens, p. pr. of obstruere. See .] Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent medicine. Johnson.
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Obstruent, n. Anything that obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an obstruent.
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Obstupefaction (?), n. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See . [Obs.] Howell.
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Obstupefactive (?), a. Stupefactive. [Obs.]
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Obstupefy (?), v. t. [Cf.L. obstupefacere. See , and .] See . [Obs.]
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Obtain (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obtaining.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob (see ) + tenere to hold. See .]
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1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.]
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His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire
He who obtains the monarchy of heaven. Milton.
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2. To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.
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Some pray for riches; riches they obtain. Dryden.
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By guileful fair words peace may be obtained. Shak.
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It may be that I may obtain children by her. Gen. xvi. 2.
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Syn. -- To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn. See . -- To , , , , . The idea of getting is common to all these terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of sense, substitute get for either of them; as, to get or to gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment; to get or to earn a living; to get or to acquire a language. To gain is to get by striving; and as this is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us fortuitously. Thus, we gain a victory, we gain a cause, we gain an advantage, etc. To earn is to deserve by labor or service; as, to earn good wages; to earn a triumph. Unfortunately, one does not always get or obtain what he has earned. To obtain implies desire for possession, and some effort directed to the attainment of that which is not immediately within our reach. Whatever we thus seek and get, we obtain, whether by our own exertions or those of others; whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or only for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us gradually in the regular exercise of our abilities, while we obtain what comes in any way, provided we desire it. Thus, we acquire knowledge, property, honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire becomes, to a great extent, permanently our own; as, to acquire a language; to acquire habits of industry, etc.
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Obtain, v. i. 1. To gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.
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Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking. Jer. Taylor.
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The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe. Baker.
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2. To prevail; to succeed. [archaic and Rare] Evelyn.
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So run that ye may obtain. 1 Cor. ix. 24.
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There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not. Bacon.
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Obtainable (?), a. Capable of being obtained.
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Obtainer (?), n. One who obtains.
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Obtainment (?), n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.
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Obtected (?), a. [L. obtectus, p. p. of obtegere to cover over.] 1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]
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2. (Zoöl.) Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain flies; also called obtect.
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Obtemper (?), v. t. & i. [See .] (Scots Law) To obey (a judgment or decree).
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Obtemperate (?), v. t. [L. obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.] To obey. [Obs.] Johnson.
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Obtend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see ) + tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.] Dryden.
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2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.] Dryden
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Obtenebration (?), n. [L. obtenebrate to make dark.] The act of darkening; the state of being darkened; darkness. [Obs.]
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In every megrim or vertigo, there is an obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning round. Bacon.
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Obtension (?), n. [L. obtentio. See .] The act of obtending. [Obs.] Johnson.
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Obtest (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtesting.] [L. obtestari; ob (see ) + testari to witness, fr. testis a witness.] 1. To call to witness; to invoke as a witness. [R.] Dryden.
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2. To beseech; to supplicate; to beg for. [R.]
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Obtest, v. i. To protest. [R.] E. Waterhouse.
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Obtestation (?), n. [L. obtestatio.] The act of obtesting; supplication; protestation. [R.]
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Antonio asserted this with great obtestation. Evelyn.
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Obtrectation (?), n. [L. obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract from through envy. See .] Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.] Barrow.
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Obtrude (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n. Obtruding.] [L. obtrudere, obtrusum; ob (see ) + trudere to thrust. See .] 1. To thrust impertinently; to present to a person without warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a company; to obtrude one's opinion on another.
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The objects of our senses obtrude their particular ideas upon our minds, whether we will or no. Lock.
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2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to urge unduly or against the will. Milton.
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Obtrude, v. i. To thrust one's self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude.
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Syn. -- To , . To intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc., without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.
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Obtruder (?), n. One who obtrudes. Boyle.
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Obtruncate (?), v. t. [L. obtruncatus, p. p. of obtruncare.] To deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]
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Obtruncation (?), n. [L. obtruncatio.] The act of lopping or cutting off. [R.] Cockeram.
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Obtrusion (?), n. [L. obtrusio. See .] 1. The act of obtruding; a thrusting upon others by force or unsolicited; as, the obtrusion of crude opinions on the world.
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2. That which is obtruded. Milton.
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Obtrusionist, n. One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent. Mag.
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Obtrusive (?), a. Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Obtrusively, adv. -- Obtrusiveness, n.
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Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired. Milton.
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Obtund (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtunded; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtunding.] [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob (see ) + tundere to strike or beat. See .] To reduce the edge, pungency, or violent action of; to dull; to blunt; to deaden; to quell; as, to obtund the acrimony of the gall. [Archaic] Harvey.
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They . . . have filled all our law books with the obtunding story of their suits and trials. Milton.
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Obtundent (?), n. [L. obtundens, p. pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as demulcent. Forsyth.
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Obtunder (?), n. (Med.) That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.
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Obturate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obturated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obturating (?).] [L. obturatus; p.p. of obturare.] To stop or close, as an opening; specif., (Ordnance), to stop (a gun breech) so as to prevent the escape of gas in firing.
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Obturation (?), n. [L. obturare to stop up: cf. F. obturation.] The act of stopping up, or closing, an opening. “Deaf by an outward obturation.” Bp. Hall.
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Obturator (?), n. [NL., fr. L. obturare to stop up: cf. F. obturateur.] 1. That which closes or stops an opening.
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2. (Surg.) An apparatus designed to close an unnatural opening, as a fissure of the palate.
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3. (Ordnance) Any device for preventing the escape of gas through the breech mechanism of a breech-loading gun; a gas check.
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4. (Photog.) A camera shutter.
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Obturator, a. (Anat.) Serving as an obturator; closing an opening; pertaining to, or in the region of, the obturator foramen; as, the obturator nerve.
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Coloq. Obturator foramen (Anat.), an opening situated between the public and ischial parts of the innominate bone and closed by the obturator membrane; the thyroid foramen.
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Obtusangular (?), a. See .
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Obtuse (?). a. [Compar. Obtuser (�); superl. Obtusest.] [L. obtusus, p. p. of obtundere to blunt: cf. F. obtus. See .] 1. Not pointed or acute; blunt; -- applied esp. to angles greater than a right angle, or containing more than ninety degrees.
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2. Not having acute sensibility or perceptions; not alert, especially to the feelings of others; dull; stupid; as, obtuse senses. Milton.
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3. Dull; deadened; as, obtuse sound. Johnson.
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{ Obtuse-angled (?), obtuse-angular (?), } a. Having an obtuse angle; as, an obtuse-angled triangle.
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Obtusely, adv. In an obtuse manner.
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Obtuseness, n. State or quality of being obtuse.
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Obtusion (�), n. [L. obtusio, from obtundere to blunt. See .] 1. The act or process of making obtuse or blunt.
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2. The state of being dulled or blunted; as, the obtusion of the senses. Harvey.
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Obtusity (?), n. Obtuseness. Lond. Quart. Rev.
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Obumbrant (?), a. [L. obumbrans, p. pr.] (Zoöl.) Overhanging; as, obumbrant feathers.
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Obumbrate (?), v. t. [L. obumbratus, p. p. of obumbrare to overshadow, cloud; ob + umbrare to shade.] To shade; to darken; to cloud. [R.] Howell.
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Obumbration (?), n. [L. obumbratio.] Act of darkening or obscuring. [R.] Sir T. More.
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Obuncous (?), a. [L. obuncus; ob (see ) + uncus hooked.] Hooked or crooked in an extreme degree. Maunder.
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Obvention (?), n. [L. obvention, fr. obvenire to come before or in the way of, to befall; ob (see ) + venire to come: cf. F. obvention.] The act of happening incidentally; that which happens casually; an incidental advantage; an occasional offering. [Obs.] “Tithes and other obventions.” Spenser.
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Legacies bequeathed by the deaths of princes and great persons, and other casualities and obventions. Fuller.
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Obversant (?), a. [L. obversans, p. pr. of obversari to hover before; ob (see ) + versare to move about.] Conversant; familiar. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Obverse (ŏbvẽrs), a. [L. obversus, p. p. of obvertere. See .] Having the base, or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a leaf.
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Obverse (ŏbvẽrs), n. [Cf. F. obverse, obvers. See , a.] 1. The face of a coin which has the principal image or inscription upon it; -- the other side being the reverse.
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2. Anything necessarily involved in, or answering to, another; the more apparent or conspicuous of two possible sides, or of two corresponding things.
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The fact that it [a belief] invariably exists being the obverse of the fact that there is no alternative belief. H. Spencer.
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