maternal

[muh-tur-nl]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother.

   maternal instincts.

2. related through a mother.

   his maternal aunt.

3. derived from a mother.

   maternal genes.

maternal

/ məˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of a mother

2. related through the mother's side of the family

   his maternal uncle

Other Word Forms

• maternalism noun
• maternalistic adjective
• maternally adverb
• nonmaternal adjective
• nonmaternally adverb
• quasi-maternal adjective
• quasi-maternally adverb
• unmaternal adjective
• unmaternally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

1475–85; < Medieval Latin māternālis, equivalent to Latin mātern ( us ) ( māter mother ¹ + -nus adj. suffix) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

C15: from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter mother

Example Sentences

Anderson’s maternal grandfather had been in the trade.

From Los Angeles Times

“Data also support the benefit of vaccination in reducing pregnancy complications, such as severe maternal morbidity, preterm birth, and stillbirth.”

From Los Angeles Times

But while “Monsters” offers a brief glimpse of maternal love at the very end, the series as a whole takes a decidedly different approach.

From Los Angeles Times

Aside from the heroically maternal spiders, other potential breakout viral stars of this series include:

From BBC

One study suggests that it might be related to maternal malnutrition.

From BBC

Related Words

• parental