Maternal definition
Related through the mother's side of the family.
Maternal grandparents.
adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly.
Maternal instinct.
adjective
Related through one's mother.
My maternal uncle.
adjective
Inherited from one's mother.
A maternal trait.
adjective
The definition of maternal is something related to or characteristic of a mother, such as motherly instincts or relatives from a mother's side of the family.
An example of maternal is rocking a baby to sleep.
An example of maternal is your grandmother on your mother's side.
adjective
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Pertaining to one’s mother.
adjective
Related through the mother, or her side of the family.
Toby is my maternal uncle.
adjective
(anatomy, medicine) Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.
adjective
Inherited from one's mother.
A maternal trait.
adjective
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Of, like, or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly.
adjective
Derived, received, or inherited from a mother.
adjective
Related through one's mother.
My maternal uncle.
adjective
Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly.
Maternal instinct.
adjective
Origin of maternal
- Middle English from Old French maternel from Medieval Latin māternālis from Latin māternus from māter mother māter- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle French maternel or post-Classical Latin māternālis (“maternal"), from māternus (“maternal"), from māter (“mother").
From Wiktionary