mother
UK: ˈmʌðə | US: ˈmʌðər
n. a female parent
n. (figurative) the origin or source of something
n. a title for a woman in a position of authority or respect (e.g., "Mother Superior")
The word "mother" traces back to Old English mōdor, derived from Proto-Germanic mōdēr, which in turn comes from Proto-Indo-European méh₂tēr. This root is shared across many Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin māter, Greek mḗtēr, Sanskrit mātṛ), reflecting a deeply ancient and universal concept. The modern spelling "mother" emerged in Middle English, influenced by phonetic shifts and standardization. The term has consistently denoted a female parent, with figurative extensions (e.g., "motherland") arising from its primal association with nurturing and origin.
Her mother taught her how to bake bread.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
The river is considered the mother of civilization in this region.
She became a mother at the age of twenty-five.
The Mother Teresa Foundation continues her charitable work.