Maternal

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /məˈtəːnÉ™l/
• US enPR: mÉ™-tû(r)'nÉ™l, IPA: /məˈtəɹnÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)nÉ™l

Origin

From Middle French maternel or post-Classical Latin māternālis ("maternal"), from māternus ("maternal"), from māter ("mother").

Full definition of maternal

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother, motherly.His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.
2. Related through the mother, or her side of the family.Toby is my maternal uncle.
3. (anatomy, medicine) Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.

Derived terms

• maternal aunt
• maternal cousin
• maternal death
• maternal grandfather
• maternal grandmother
• maternal uncle

Antonyms

• paternal – father

Coordinate terms

• avuncular – uncle
• materteral – aunt
• paternal – father