birth
birth — noun
1. the moment a baby or newborn animal starts life outside its mother, or the proce
the moment a baby or newborn animal starts life outside its mother, or the process around that moment
At birth, the twins each weighed less than three kilograms.
pattern: at birth
The foal stood up an hour after birth and followed its mother.
pattern: after birth
Nurses checked the baby's breathing immediately after the difficult birth.
Viraj still remembers the scar from her son's emergency birth.
- childbirth
used for the human process, not usually for animals
- delivery
often used in medical settings, especially for human babies
- arrival
a warmer, less exact word often used in family news
文法句型
at birth
from birth
after birth
during birth
用法筆記
Common in fixed patterns such as at birth, from birth, and after birth. Distinguish from sense 2, where birth names the baby or young animal itself rather than the event.
常見錯誤
2. the first appearance of something new, such as an idea, movement, or nation
the first appearance of something new, such as an idea, movement, or nation
The small website marked the birth of a new music scene.
pattern: the birth of + noun
Many historians link the railway to the birth of the town.
That late-night meeting gave birth to their best business idea.
The festival's birth brought visitors and new jobs to the island.
- end
the point when something finishes
文法句型
the birth of + noun
give birth to + idea
用法筆記
Usually followed by of when naming what begins. This abstract sense is about a new idea, system, group, or period coming into existence, not a person or animal entering the world.
常見錯誤
3. a baby or young animal counted as the result of one birth
a baby or young animal counted as the result of one birth
The first birth was a girl with her father's dark hair.
countable use: birth = baby born
Both births were healthy boys, the nurse told the grandparents.
The rare white calf was the farm's happiest birth that spring.
The smallest birth needed a warm box near the heater.
用法筆記
Much less common than sense 1 and most often seen in medical, farming, or zoo reporting. Here birth names the newborn itself, not the event.
4. the social level or family background a person is born into
the social level or family background a person is born into
Although raised in comfort, Clara was not of noble birth.
pattern: of noble birth
In the old court, men of humble birth rarely became leaders.
pattern: of humble birth
The novel follows a soldier who hides his high birth from friends.
Her birth gave her privilege, but not the skill to rule.
- lineage
more formal and focused on the family line
- background
broader, since it can include education and experience as well
- parentage
focuses on who a person's parents are
文法句型
of noble birth
of humble birth
用法筆記
Often follows of in fixed phrases such as of noble birth and of humble birth. Distinguish from sense 4, which points to nationality or place of origin rather than class or rank.
5. the place or national group a person belongs to because of where they were born
the place or national group a person belongs to because of where they were born or who their parents are
Marco is Italian by birth but has lived in Taipei since childhood.
pattern: Italian by birth
By birth, Elena was Canadian, though her family later moved to Peru.
pattern: by birth, + clause
The actor is Mexican by birth and Spanish by marriage.
Her birth made her a citizen of France, not Belgium.
- origin
broader and not limited to nationality
- nationality
more exact when the point is legal or national identity
- citizenship
focuses on legal status and may change later
文法句型
Italian by birth
by birth, + clause
用法筆記
Most common in phrases like French by birth or by birth, Canadian. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about family rank and class, not nationality or birthplace identity.
birth — verb
1. if a woman or female animal births, she brings her young into the world
if a woman or female animal births, she brings her young into the world
After ten hours in labor, Mia birthed a healthy baby boy.
transitive: birth + baby
The mare birthed twins before the vet reached the farm.
animal subject: mare birthed twins
In the storm, the deer birthed beside a fallen tree.
By sunrise, the dog had birthed six puppies in the laundry room.
文法句型
birth + baby
birth + litter
birth in + place
用法筆記
When transitive, the direct object is the baby or young animal. For human births in everyday speech, people more often say have a baby than use birth as the main verb.
常見錯誤
2. to help the mother so that her child or young can come into the world
to help the mother so that her child or young can come into the world
The village nurse birthed three babies during the flood.
subject is helper: nurse birthed babies
A vet birthed the calf after turning it gently by hand.
subject is helper: vet birthed the calf
Dr. Singh birthed twins while the power was still out.
On cold nights, the farmer births lambs in the kitchen.
文法句型
birth + baby
birth + calf
birth + lambs
用法筆記
The subject is usually a doctor, nurse, vet, or farmer who assists the delivery. Distinguish from sense 1, where the subject is the mother herself.
3. to bring a new thing, idea, or situation into existence
to bring a new thing, idea, or situation into existence
The long drought birthed new rules about water use.
abstract subject causes a result
Her anger birthed a silence that lasted through dinner.
Cheap cameras birthed a new wave of street artists.
The court case birthed public debate across the whole country.
文法句型
birth + idea
birth + debate
birth + rule
用法筆記
Common with abstract subjects such as events, feelings, technology, or decisions. More formal and literary than create or cause.