maieutic

See also: maièutic

English

Alternative forms

• maieutical

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μαιευτικός (maieutikós, “obstetric”). The rhetorical sense comes from a passage in Plato's Theaetetus where Socrates likens his procedure to that of a midwife.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /meɪˈjuːtɪk/

Adjective

maieutic (comparative more maieutic, superlative most maieutic)

1. (philosophy) Of or related to the Socratic method.
2. (uncommon) Obstetric: of or related to childbirth.

Related terms

• maieutics

Noun

maieutic (uncountable)

1. Midwifery.