adjective maternal \m-tr-nl\

: of or relating to a mother
: of or relating to a woman who is having a baby
: related through the mother
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Full Definition of MATERNAL

1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly
2
a : related through a mother <his maternal aunt>
b : inherited or derived from the female parent <maternal genes>
maternally
\-nl-\ adverb
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Examples of MATERNAL
1. Doctors are concerned about the effects of the drug on maternal health.
2. <her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong>

Origin of MATERNAL
Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval
Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother more at mother
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MATERNAL
Synonyms
motherly, mother
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Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

Rhymes with MATERNAL

diurnal, eternal, external, fraternal, hibernal, infernal, internal, nocturnal, paternal, supernal

maternal
adjective maternal \m-trn-l\ (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MATERNAL

1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother <maternal instinct>
2
a : related through a mother <his maternal aunt> b : inherited or derived from the female parent
<maternal genes>
maternally \-l-\
adverb

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