pregnant

{{11}}pregnant (adj.) late 14c., "cogent, convincing, compelling" (of evidence, an argument, etc.), from O.Fr. preignant, prp. of preindre, from earlier priembre, from L. premere "to press" (see PRESS (Cf. press) (v.¹)). Sense of "full of meaning" is from c.1400. Meaning "with child" is early 15c., from L. praegnantem (nom. praegnans, originally praegnas) "with child," lit. "before birth," probably from prae- "before" (see PRE- (Cf. pre-)) + root of gnasci "be born" (see GENUS (Cf. 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. O.E. terms included mid-bearne, lit. "with child;" bearn-eaca, lit. "child-adding" or "child-increasing;" and geacnod "increased." Among c.1800 slang terms for "pregnant" were poisoned (in reference to the swelling).

{{12}}pregnant (1) "convincing, weighty, pithy," late 14c., from O.Fr. preignant, prp. of preindre, from earlier priembre, from L. premere "to press" (see PRESS (Cf. press) (v.¹)).