n. [ F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v. ] That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral. [ 1913 Webster ]

If all obstacles were cut away.
And that my path were even to the crown. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p. pr. of obstare. See Obstacle. ] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstacle. ] 1. Of or pertaining to childbirth, midwifery, or the period around the time of the birth of children; as, the obstetric art. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to obstetrics; as, the obstetric unit of a hospital. [ PJC ]

Obstetrical toad (Zool.), a European toad of the genus Alytes, especially Alytes obstetricans. The eggs are laid in a string which the male winds around his legs, and carries about until the young are hatched. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ L. obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix. ] To perform the office of midwife. [ Obs. ] “Nature does obstetricate.” Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To assist as a midwife. [ Obs. ] E. Waterhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur; especially, a physician who specializes in obstetrics. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Obstetric. ] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstetric. ] 1. The science of midwifery. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The branch of medicine that deals with childbirth or the care of women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. Obstetrics. [ Obs. ] Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]