pregnant: [16] Latin praegnās ‘pregnant’ probably originated as a compound formed from prae ‘before’ and gnascī or nascī ‘be born’ (source of English nation, native, etc). It was altered to praegnāns, bringing it in line with present participial adjectives ending in -āns, and was borrowed into English in its stem form as pregnant. From it was derived the verb impregnāre, from which English gets impregnate [16], but English impregnable is quite unrelated, despite its similarity – it comes from Latin prehendere ‘seize’ (source also of English apprehend, comprehend, etc). => impregnate, nation, native, nature
pregnant (adj.2)
"convincing, weighty, pithy," late 14c., "cogent, convincing, compelling" (of evidence, an argument, etc.); sense of "full of meaning" is from c. 1400. According to OED from Old French preignant, present participle of preindre "press, squeeze, stamp, crush," from earlier priembre, from Latin premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). But Watkins has it from Latin praehendere "to grasp, seize," and in Barnhart it is from Latin praegnans "with child," literally "before birth" and thus identical with pregnant (adj.1).
pregnant (adj.1)
"with child," early 15c., from Latin praegnantem (nominative praegnans, originally praegnas) "with child," literally "before birth," probably from prae- "before" (see pre-) + root of gnasci "be born" (see genus).
Retained its status as a taboo word until c. 1950; modern euphemisms include anticipating, enceinte, expecting, in a family way, in a delicate (or interesting) condition. Old English terms included mid-bearne, literally "with child;" bearn-eaca, literally "child-adding" or "child-increasing;" and geacnod "increased." Among c. 1800 slang terms for "pregnant" was poisoned (in reference to the swelling).
双语例句
1. The number of women who become pregnant after adopting children is legion.
领养小孩后怀孕的妇女比比皆是。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Pregnant women who are heavy drinkers risk damaging the unborn foetus.
孕妇酗酒可能会危及腹中胎儿。
来自柯林斯例句
3. This was a sickening attack on a pregnant and defenceless woman.
这一起对毫无防御能力的孕妇的袭击，令人无比震惊。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Iron and folic acid supplements are frequently given to pregnant women.
铁剂和叶酸片常被配给孕妇服用。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Most pregnant women remain off cigarettes while carrying the child.
