birth
UK: bɜːθ | US: bɜːrθ
n. the emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being
n. the beginning or origin of something
n. ancestry or lineage
birth = bir<bear, carry> + th<noun suffix>
- bir<bear, carry>: Derived from Old English beran (to bear, carry), reflecting the act of carrying a child before delivery.
- th<noun suffix>: A nominalizing suffix in Old English, forming abstract nouns (e.g., growth, strength).
Etymology Origin:
The word birth traces back to Old English gebyrd, combining beran (to bear) and the suffix -þ (equivalent to modern -th). It originally denoted the act of bearing offspring, later expanding metaphorically to signify the origin of abstract concepts. The morpheme bir- preserves the core idea of "carrying," while -th solidifies it as a noun.
The birth of their daughter brought immense joy to the family.
The Renaissance marked the birth of modern science and art.
She takes pride in her noble birth and heritage.
The documentary explores the birth of the universe.
Complications during birth required medical intervention.