partum

[ˈpɑːrtəm]

Origin: From Latin "partus" meaning "birth, bearing, bringing forth"

Part of Speech: Adjective (used in medical/formal contexts)

Meanings:

1. Related to or occurring during childbirth
2. After childbirth, particularly in medical terminology

Usage Notes:

• Usually appears as part of compound terms like "postpartum" or "antepartum"
• Primarily used in medical and scientific contexts

Common Compound Terms:

• postpartum (after birth)
• antepartum (before birth)
• intrapartum (during birth)
• peripartum (around the time of birth)

Example Sentences:

1. "The patient experienced postpartum depression following delivery."
2. "The doctor specializes in antepartum care for high-risk pregnancies."
3. "Intrapartum monitoring is essential during labor."

Related Words:

• parturition (n): the action of giving birth
• parturient (adj): about to give birth
• puerperal (adj): relating to the period following childbirth

Memory Trick: Think "part" + "um" = the time when a baby "parts" from the mother's womb. The Latin root "partus" literally means the process of bringing forth new life.