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mother1 definition

mother (mut̸hər)

noun

  1. a woman who has borne a child; esp., a woman as she is related to her child or children
    1. a stepmother
    2. an adoptive mother
    3. a mother-in-law
  2. the female parent of a plant or animal
  3. that which gives birth to something, is the origin or source of something, or nurtures in the manner of a mother
    1. a woman having the responsibility and authority of a mother
    2. mother superior: used esp. as a title
  4. an elderly woman: used as a title of affectionate respect
  5. Slang motherfucker: somewhat vulgar

Etymology: ME moder < OE modor, akin to Ger mutter < IE *matér, mother (> L mater, Gr mētēr, OIr māthir) < *ma-, echoic of baby talk

adjective

  1. of, like, or like that of a mother
  2. derived or learned from or as if from one's mother; native mother tongue
  3. designating a company, institution, etc. from which another or others originated mother church

transitive verb

  1. to be the mother of; give birth to: often used figuratively
  2. to look after or care for as a mother does

Related Forms:

mother Idioms

the mother of all

something regarded as the biggest, most impressive, or most important of (its kind): often used humorously [the mother of all yard sales]
mother2 definition

mother (mut̸hər)

noun

  1. mother of vinegar
  2. Obsolete dregs

Etymology: altered (infl. by mother) < MDu moeder, akin to MLowG modder: for IE base see mud

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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