maternal
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle French maternel or post-Classical Latin māternālis (“maternal”), from māternus (“maternal”), from māter (“mother”).
[edit] Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /məˈtəːnəl/
- (US) enPR: mə-tû(r)'nəl, IPA: /məˈtəɻnəl/, SAMPA: /m@"t3:(r)n@l/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(r)nəl
[edit] Adjective
maternal (comparative more maternal, superlative most maternal)
- Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother, motherly.
- His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.
- Related through the mother, or her side of the family.
- Toby is my maternal uncle.
- (anatomy, medicine) Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.
[edit] Derived terms
- maternal aunt
- maternal cousin
- maternal death
- maternal filicide
- maternal grandfather
- maternal grandmother
- maternal uncle
[edit] Antonyms
- paternal – father
[edit] Coordinate terms
- avuncular – uncle
- materteral – aunt
- paternal – father
[edit] Translations
of or pertaining to a mother
related through the mother, or her side of the family
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Translations to be checked
[edit] Spanish
[edit] Adjective
maternal m. and f. (plural maternales)