midwife
    n 1: a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies [syn:
         midwife, accoucheuse]

Midwife \Mid"wife`\, v. t.
   To assist in childbirth.
   [1913 Webster]

Midwife \Mid"wife`\, v. i.
   To perform the office of midwife.
   [1913 Webster]

Midwife \Mid"wife`\, n.; pl. Midwives. [OE. midwif, fr. AS.
   mid with (akin to Gr. ?) + ? woman, wife. Properly, the woman
   or wife who is attendant upon a woman in childbirth. See
   Meta-, and Wife.]
   A woman who assists other women in childbirth; a female
   practitioner of the obstetric art.
   [1913 Webster]

Midwife
   The two midwives mentioned in Ex. 1:15 were probably the
   superintendents of the whole class.
   

MIDWIFE, med. jur. A woman who practices midwifery; a woman who pursues the 
business of an account. 
     2. A midwife is required to perform the business she undertakes with 
proper skill, and if she be guilty of any mala praxis, (q.v.) she is liable 
to an action or an indictment for the misdemeanor. Vide Vin. Ab. Physician; 
Com. Dig. Physician; 8 East, R. 348; 2 Wils. R. 359; 4 C. & P. 398; S. C. 19 
E. C. L. R. 440; 4 C. & P. 407, n. a; 1 Chit. Pr. 43; 2 Russ. Cr. 288.