n.
Pronunciation: ' b ə rth
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse byrth; akin to Old English beran
Date: 13th century
1 a : the emergence of a new individual from the body of its parent b : the act or process of bringing forth young from the womb
2 : a state resulting from being born especially at a particular time or place <a Southerner by birth >
3 a : LINEAGE , EXTRACTION <marriage between equals in birth > b : high or noble birth
4 a archaic : one that is born b : BEGINNING , START <the birth of an idea>