maternal definition - Dictionary

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ma·ter·nal [ mə túrn'l ]

adjective

Definition:

1. of or like mother: belonging or relating to motherhood, a mother, or mothers in general

maternal pride

2. caring: kind, caring, and protective in a motherly way

a very maternal person

3. on or from mother's side: relating to or inherited from the mother or the mother's side of a family

my maternal grandfather

[15th century. < French maternel< Latin maternus< mater "mother"]

ma·ter·nal·ism noun

ma·ter·nal·is·tic [ mə tùrn'l ístik ] adjective

ma·ter·nal·ly [ mə túrn'lee ] adverb