Difference between revisions of "Definition: Pregnant" - New World Encyclopedia
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− | + | ==Etymology== | |
− | + | From ''pregnant'' from [[Middle English]] ''preignant'', from [[Old French]] ''preignant'', ''pregnant'', also ''prenant'' (compare archaic Modern French ''prégnant''), and their source, [[Latin]] ''praegnāns'' (“pregnant”), probably from ''prae-'' (“pre-”) + ''*gnāscī'', an archaic form of ''nāscī'' (“to be born”). Displaced [[Old English]] ''bearnēacen'' (literally "child-enlarged"). | |
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− | + | ==Adjective== | |
− | + | '''pregnant''' (comparative '''more pregnant''', superlative '''most pregnant''') | |
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+ | # (chiefly not comparable) Carrying developing [[offspring]] within the body. | ||
+ | #: ''She went to the doctor and found out she was '''pregnant'''''. | ||
+ | # {{Template:Definition:comparable}} Having many [[possibility|possibilities]] or [[implication]]s; full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc. | ||
+ | #: ''a pregnant pause'' | ||
+ | ===Derived terms=== | ||
+ | * [[barefoot and pregnant]] | ||
+ | * [[pregnant pause]] | ||
+ | * [[pregnant woman]] | ||
[[Category:English adjectives]] | [[Category:English adjectives]] | ||
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{{Wictionary_credits|pregnant|5502816}} | {{Wictionary_credits|pregnant|5502816}} |
Latest revision as of 20:36, 26 August 2023
Etymology
From pregnant from Middle English preignant, from Old French preignant, pregnant, also prenant (compare archaic Modern French prégnant), and their source, Latin praegnāns (“pregnant”), probably from prae- (“pre-”) + *gnāscī, an archaic form of nāscī (“to be born”). Displaced Old English bearnēacen (literally "child-enlarged").
Adjective
pregnant (comparative more pregnant, superlative most pregnant)
- (chiefly not comparable) Carrying developing offspring within the body.
- She went to the doctor and found out she was pregnant.
- (comparable) Having many possibilities or implications; full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc.
- a pregnant pause
Derived terms
- barefoot and pregnant
- pregnant pause
- pregnant woman
Credits
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