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Meaning of maternal

Source language: EnglishDictionary language: English

maternal

Pronunciation:/məˈtɜːnəl//məˈtɜɹnəl/

noun

Definitions

  1. A mother.

  2. A person related through the mother, or her side of the family; a maternal relative.

adjective

Definitions

  1. Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother; motherly.

    Example: His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.

    Antonyms:fatherlypaternal

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

    Example: Toby is my maternal uncle.

    Antonyms:paternal

  3. Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.

    Antonyms:fetalfoetal
Sources:https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maternal

Related words

motherlikematernalisticmotherlyparentalenateenaticpaternalrelated