maieutic

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Maieutic \Ma*ieu"tic\ (m[asl]*[=u]"t[i^]k), Maieutical
\Ma*ieu"tic*al\ (m[asl]*[=u]"t[i^]*kal), a. [Gr. maieytiko`s,
   fr. mai^a midwife.]
   1. Serving to assist childbirth. --Cudworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. [Fig.] Aiding, or tending to, the definition and
      interpretation of thoughts or language. --Payne.
      [1913 Webster]