parous

1 of 2

adjective

par·​ous ˈper-əs 

: 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

Rhymes for parous

• merus
• serous
• acetyltransferase
• aminotransferase
• icarus
• transferase
• methyltransferase

Medical Definition

parous

adjective

par·​ous ˈpar-əs 

1

: having produced offspring

2

: of or characteristic of the parous female

parous relaxation of the vaginal outlet

—W. H. Masters & V. E. Johnson