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September 12, 2020 Word of the Day

maternal /məˈtɚnəl/ adjective
maternal
/məˈtɚnəl/
adjective
Maternal love
Maternal love
Definition of MATERNAL

1 a : of or relating to a mother : MOTHERLY

  • maternal love

  • maternal feelings/instincts

1 b always used before a noun : of or relating to a woman who is having a baby

  • Doctors are concerned about the effects of the drug on maternal health.

  • maternal smoking

2 always used before a noun : related through the mother

  • his maternal grandparents [=the parents of his mother]

  • a maternal aunt/uncle

maternally adverb

  • She smiled at them maternally.

  • maternally inherited genes

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