Definition of maternal

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< materiel

maternity >

ma·ter·nal    (m-tûrnl) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

1. Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly: maternal instinct.
2. Inherited from one's mother: a maternal trait.
3. Related through one's mother: my maternal uncle.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French maternel, from Medieval Latin mternlis, from Latin mternus, from mter, mother; see mter- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
ma·ternal·ism (Noun), ma·ternal·ly (Adverb)

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