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Glite Dictionary
whelping process

whelping process

8.2
The act of a dog giving birth to puppies
  • noun
  • /ˈwɛlpɪŋ ˈprɑːsɛs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : proceso de parto
  • She monitored the whelping process closely to make sure the dog was safe.

Examples

  • The veterinarian explained what to expect during the whelping process.

  • During the whelping process, the mother needs a quiet space.

  • Proper preparation can help ensure a smooth whelping process for both the mother and her puppies.

  • The whelping process can take several hours.

  • Proper preparation can help ensure a smooth whelping process for both the mother and her puppies.

  • The veterinarian explained what to expect during the whelping process of the dog.

  • During the whelping process, the mother needs a quiet space to feel comfortable.

Synonyms

birthing
vswhelping process
34 3.3

The act of giving birth to a baby

is about dogs giving birth to young animals rather than human infants
birthing process
vswhelping process
2 3.4

The physical stages a person goes through when a baby comes out of their body

is about dogs giving birth rather than general birth physiology
pupping
vswhelping process
  • Specialized
7.8

The act of giving birth to puppies or young animals like seals

is specific to dogs rather than other mammals

Surface Forms

whelping process singular
whelping processes plural

Morphology

whelp + process

The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'whelp' (to give birth to pups) and 'process' (a sequence of steps), so the meaning 'the act of a dog giving birth' is directly derivable from the constituents. The gerund/nominal + noun pattern is a regular, productive English construction and would be clear to a learner who knows both words.

Etymology

The noun whelping process comes from the old word whelp, which means a puppy or 'to give birth' for dogs. Picture a mother dog having her puppies, and you can see why whelping process now means 'the act of a dog giving birth to puppies'.