dystocia

noun dys·to·cia \dis-ˈtō-sh(ē-)ə\

Definition of DYSTOCIA

: slow or difficult labor or delivery

New Latin, from Greek dystokia, from dys- + tokos childbirth; akin to Greek tiktein to give birth to — more at thane

First Known Use: circa 1706

Medical Dictionary

noun dys·to·cia \dis-ˈtō-sh(ē-)ə\

: slow or difficult labor or delivery—compare eutocia

dys·to·cia or dys·to·kia \-ˈtō-kē-ə\

Next Word in the Dictionary: dystoniaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: dysthymiaAll Words Near: dystocia

What made you want to look up dystocia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears