vroedvrouw

== Dutch == === Etymology === From Middle Dutch vroedvrouw, a calque of Old French sage-femme. By surface analysis, vroed (“wise”) +‎ vrouw (“woman”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈvrutˌfrɑu̯/ Hyphenation: vroed‧vrouw === Noun === vroedvrouw f (plural vroedvrouwen, diminutive vroedvrouwtje n, masculine vroedman) midwife (woman who assists women in childbirth) Hypernyms: vroedkundige, verloskundige ==== Usage notes ==== Although English midwife is often used in a gender-neutral way, Dutch vroedvrouw is used of women only. The gender-neutral term verloskundige may be used for men as well and is more commonly used of male midwives than the rare male-specific term vroedman. ==== Descendants ==== Afrikaans: vroedvrou === References ===