sage-femme
See also: sagefemme
French edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle French sage-femme, from Old French sage-femme. By surface analysis, sage (“wise”) + femme (“woman”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
sage-femme f (plural sages-femmes)
- midwife
- Synonym: accoucheuse
Usage notes edit
Typically the word sage-femme is also used to designate a male midwife; sage-homme m is uncommon for this usage, and maïeuticien m is overly obscure.
Further reading edit
- “sage-femme”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Norman edit
Noun edit
sage-femme f (plural sages-femmes)