maternal
/mə'tə:nl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to or characteristic of a mother: Pertaining to the qualities, feelings, or instincts associated with being a mother.
- Related through one's mother: Denoting kinship or lineage on the mother's side of the family.
- Derived from or inherited from one's mother: Pertaining to biological or genetic contribution from the mother.
Usage Examples
- Characteristic of a mother:
- She has a very maternal instinct and cares for all the children in the neighborhood.
- The nurse offered maternal comfort to the scared patient.
- Related on the mother's side:
- I am visiting my maternal grandmother this weekend.
- His maternal uncle lives abroad.
- Derived from one's mother:
- The child inherited his eye color from his maternal genes.
Advanced Usage
- "Maternal leave": A period of leave from work for a mother before and after the birth of her child. (Note: This is a compound term listed here as an example of advanced usage).
- The company offers six months of paid maternal leave.
- "Maternal mortality": The death of a woman while pregnant or within a specified period after termination of pregnancy.
- Reducing maternal mortality is a key global health goal.
Variants and Related Words
- Maternally (adverb): In a motherly manner.
- She smiled maternally at the young couple.
- Maternity (noun): The state of being a mother; motherhood. Also used to describe things related to pregnancy and childbirth.
- She bought clothes in the maternity section.
Synonyms
- Motherly: Having or showing the loving, protective qualities of a mother.
- Parental: Relating to a parent or parents (a broader term that includes both maternal and paternal).
Antonyms
- Paternal: Relating to or characteristic of a father; related through one's father.
Related Phrases
- Maternal side (of the family): The branch of one's family connected through one's mother.
- All my aunts on my maternal side are teachers.
- Maternal figure: A woman who provides care and protection like a mother, though not necessarily the biological mother.
- My aunt became a maternal figure to me after my mother passed away.
Adjective
-
related on the mother's side
-
my maternal grandmother
-
-
relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
-
parental guidance
-
-
relating to or derived from one's mother
-
maternal genes
-
-
characteristic of a mother
-
warm maternal affection for her guest- Dorothy Sayers
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ tương tự
Từ gần giống
Từ chứa "maternal"
Từ có nhắc đến "maternal"
