maternal

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Translations 2 Spanish 2.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle French maternel or post-classical Latin maternalis, from Classical Latin māternus, from māter (“‘mother’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /məˈtəːnəl/
• (US) enPR: mə-tû(r)'nəl, IPA: /mə'təɻnəl/, SAMPA: /m@"t3:(r)n@l/

  Rhymes: -ɜː(r)nəl

[edit] Adjective

maternal (comparative more maternal, superlative most maternal)

1. Pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother, motherly.

   His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.

2. Related through the mother, or her side of the family.

   Toby is my maternal uncle.

3. (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

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Spanish

[edit] Adjective

maternal m. and f. (plural maternales)

1. maternal