| certified nurse-midwife | A registered nurse with at least a masters degree in nursing and advanced education in the management of the entire maternity cycle. Achieved through an organised program of study and national testing by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| midwife | Origin: OE. Midwif, fr. AS. Mid with (akin to Gr) + woman, wife. Properly, the woman or wife who is attendant upon a woman in childbirth. See Meta-, and Wife. A woman who assists other women in childbirth; a female practitioner of the obstetric art. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| empirical | 1. Pertaining to, or founded upon, experiment or experience; depending upon the observation of phenomena; versed in experiments. "In philosophical language, the term empirical means simply what belongs to or is the product of experience or observation." (Sir W. Hamilton) "The village carpenter . . . Lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship." (H. Spencer) 2. Depending upon experience or observation alone, without due regard to science and theory; said especially of medical practice, remedies, etc.; wanting in science and deep insight; as, empiric skill, remedies. Empirical formula. <chemistry> See Formula. Synonym: See Transcendental. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| empirical formula | In chemistry, a formula indicating the kind and number of atoms in the molecules of a substance, or its composition, but not the relation of the atoms to each other or the intimate structure of the molecule. Synonym: molecular formula. (05 Mar 2000) |