What is "maieutic"

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.

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

a. maieutical