Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bring (a baby or young animal) into the world through the process of birth: This is the primary biological meaning, referring to the act of delivering offspring.
   • To be the origin or source of something; to create or produce: This figurative meaning describes the act of bringing an idea, movement, or thing into existence.

Usage

• The verb "give birth" is used to describe the action of a mother delivering her child or young. It is often used in medical, formal, and general contexts.
• It is also used metaphorically to describe the act of creating or initiating something abstract, such as an idea, a project, or a movement.
• Common structures include: "give birth to [someone/something]".

Examples

• Literal/Biological Meaning:
  • The whale gave birth to a single calf.
  • She gave birth in a hospital with the help of a midwife.
• Figurative Meaning:
  • The Renaissance gave birth to a new era of scientific inquiry.
  • Their collaboration gave birth to a revolutionary theory.

Advanced Usage

• "to give birth to oneself": A philosophical or literary concept meaning to reinvent or create one's own identity.
  • Through her art, she gave birth to herself anew.

Variants and Related Words

• Childbirth (n): The process of giving birth to a child.
  • She took a class to prepare for childbirth.
• Birth (n): The act or fact of being born or giving birth.
  • The date of his birth is unknown.
• Deliver (v): To assist in the birth of a baby; can be synonymous in a medical context.
  • The doctor delivered the baby.

Synonyms

• Bear (v): To give birth to (a child). ()
• Produce (v): To create or bring into existence. ()
• Generate (v): To cause to arise or come about. ()

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Give birth" itself functions as a phrasal verb. Other phrasal verbs with "give" have distinct meanings.) - Give forth (archaic/literary): To emit or produce. (The soil gave forth a rich harvest.)

Related Idioms

• Give life to: To make something seem real or active; to inspire.
  • The actor gave life to the character.
• Be born of: To originate from a particular source or situation.
  • Her compassion was born of her own suffering.

Verb

1. create or produce an idea
   • Marx and Engels gave birth to communism
2. cause to be born
   • My wife had twins yesterday!