adj. 1 of or like a mother; motherly. 2 related through the mother (maternal uncle). 3 of the mother in pregnancy and childbirth. n maternally ado. [Latin mater mother] maternity fmats:niti/ n. 1 motherhood. 2 motherliness. 3 (attrib.) for women during pregnancy and childbirth (maternity leave, maternity dress). [French from medieval Latin: related to MATERNAL]
