maternal
UK: məˈtɜːnəl | US: məˈtɜːrnəl
adj. relating to or characteristic of a mother
adj. derived from or inherited through one’s mother
adj. (biology) related to the mother’s side of the family
maternal = mater<mother> + nal<adjective suffix>
- mater: From Latin mater (mother), preserved in English as a root in words like maternal, maternity, and matriarch.
- nal: A suffix derived from Latin -alis, used to form adjectives (e.g., natural, personal).
Etymology Origin:
The word maternal traces back to Latin maternus, meaning "of a mother," which itself comes from mater (mother). This root is shared across Indo-European languages (e.g., Greek mētēr, Sanskrit mātṛ). The suffix -nal evolved from Latin -alis, a common adjectival ending. The term reflects societal emphasis on motherhood, contrasting with paternal (father-related).
Her maternal instincts kicked in when she saw the child crying.
The study focused on maternal health in rural communities.
He inherited his curly hair from his maternal grandmother.
The company offers extended maternal leave for new mothers.
Maternal love is often described as unconditional.