maternal

[ muh-tur-nl ]
/ məˈtɜr nl /

adjective

of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother: maternal instincts.
related through a mother: his maternal aunt.
derived from a mother: maternal genes.

Origin of maternal

1475–85; < Medieval Latin māternālis, equivalent to Latin mātern(us) ( māter mother1 + -nus adj. suffix) + -ālis -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM maternal

Words nearby maternal

materially, materials, materials handling, materials science, materiel, maternal, maternal dystocia, maternal placenta, maternalize, maternity, maternity benefit

Example sentences from the Web for maternalism

  • Esmé patted the other's head with an absurd and delightful affectation of maternalism.

    The Clarion |Samuel Hopkins Adams

British Dictionary definitions for maternalism

maternal
/ (məˈtɜːnəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of a mother
related through the mother's side of the family his maternal uncle

Derived forms of maternal

maternalism, noun maternalistic, adjective maternally, adverb

Word Origin for maternal

C15: from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter mother

Medical definitions for maternalism

maternal
[ mə-tûr′nəl ]

adj.

Relating to or characteristic of a mother.
Inherited from one's mother.