maternal

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Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /məˈtɜːnəl/
• (GA) enPR: mə-tû(r)'nəl, IPA: /məˈtɜɹnəl/

Adjective

maternal

1. Of or pertaining to a mother#Noun|mother; having the characteristic#Noun|characteristics of a mother; motherly.

   Antonyms: fatherly, paternal

   His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.

2. related#Adjective|Related through the mother, or her side#Noun|side of the family.

   Antonyms: paternal

   Toby is my maternal uncle.

3. (anatomy, medicine) Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.

   Antonyms: fetal, foetal

Related terms

• maternity

Translations

• French: maternel
• German: mütterlich
• Italian: materno
• Portuguese: maternal
• Russian: матери́нский
• Spanish: maternal, materno

Translations

• French: maternel
• German: mütterlich
• Italian: materno
• Portuguese: materno
• Russian: с матери́нской стороны́
• Spanish: maternal, materno

Noun

maternal (plural maternals) (rare)

1. (dated, informal) A mother#Noun|mother.
2. A person related#Adjective|related through the mother, or her side#Noun|side of the family; a maternal relative#Noun|relative.

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