parous

1 of 2

adjective

par·​ous ˈper-əs How to pronounce parous (audio)
: having produced offspring

-parous

2 of 2

adjective combining form

: giving birth to : producing
multiparous

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

generalized from -parous in compounds, as an antonym of nulliparous

Adjective combining form

borrowed from Latin -parus, adjective derivative of parere "to give birth to, bring into being" — more at parturient entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parous was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near parous

parotitis

parous

-parous

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Parous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parous. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

parous

adjective
par·​ous ˈpar-əs How to pronounce parous (audio)
1
: having produced offspring
2
: of or characteristic of the parous female
parous relaxation of the vaginal outlet—W. H. Masters & V. E. Johnson
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