give birth
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- create or produce an idea
- Marx and Engels gave birth to communism
- cause to be born
- My wife had twins yesterday!