Search Result for "maternal": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (4)

1. characteristic of a mother;
- Example: "warm maternal affection for her guest"- Dorothy Sayers

2. relating to or derived from one's mother;
- Example: "maternal genes"

3. relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent;
- Example: "parental guidance"
[syn: parental, maternal, paternal]

4. related on the mother's side;
- Example: "my maternal grandmother"
[syn: enate, enatic, maternal(p)]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Maternal \Ma*ter"nal\, a. [F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater
   mother. See Mother.]
   Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly;
   as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: See Motherly.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

maternal
    adj 1: characteristic of a mother; "warm maternal affection for
           her guest"- Dorothy Sayers [ant: paternal]
    2: relating to or derived from one's mother; "maternal genes"
    3: relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent;
       "parental guidance" [syn: parental, maternal, paternal]
       [ant: filial]
    4: related on the mother's side; "my maternal grandmother" [syn:
       enate, enatic, maternal(p)]