Obstetr. [Fr., f. tire-r to draw + tête head.] (See quot. 1857.)
1754–64. Smellie, Midwif., I. Introd. 56. He also invented a tire-tête, which cannot be used until the skull is opened with a knife.
1771. Encycl. Brit., III. 238/2. Let Leverot’s tire-tête, with the three sides joined together, be introduced along the accoucheur’s hand.
1857. Dunglison, Med. Lex., Tire-téte, a name given to different instruments used for extracting the head of the child when left in the uterus.
