Maternal Meaning
/məˈtɜːnəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother; motherly.
adjRelated through the mother, or her side of the family.
Sentence Examples
The child's good health says a great deal for maternal care.
Maternal love is the greatest thing.
She did not seem to have any of the usual maternal instincts.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ behavior towards the children included gentle hugs and kind words.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ instincts kicked in the moment she saw the lost child crying in the middle of the mall.
Word Origin & History
PIE word *méh₂tēr The adjective is derived from Late Middle English maternal, maternall, from Middle French maternel (“maternal”) (modern French maternel (“maternal; native”)), or from its etymon Late Latin māternālis (“maternal”), from Latin māternus (“maternal; related to the mother or her side of the family”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship from nouns). Māternus is derived from māter (“mother”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr (“mother”)) + -rnus (suffix forming adjectives). The English word is cognate with Italian maternale, materno, Portuguese maternal, materno, Spanish maternal, materno. The noun is derived from the adjective.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"However, the Hebrew (I ſay) is the moſt antient and maternall Language; for Adam uſed it, and all men before the Flood, as is manifeſt from the Scripture, and Fathers."
— 1650, Edward Leigh, “To the Reverend, Pious, and Learned Assembly of Divines, Convened at Westminster: And to All Such as are Studious of Knowledge in the Originall Text of the New Testament. [The Epistle Dedicatory]”, in Critica Sacra in Two Parts: The First Containing Observations on All the Radices, or Primitive Hebrevv Words of the Old Testament, in Order Alphabetical. […] The Second Philologicall and Theologicall Observations upon All the Greek Words of the New Testament, in Order Alphabetical. […], 3rd edition, London: Printed by Abraham Miller and Roger Daniel for Thomas Underhill […], →OCLC:
"If a dictionary be a ſelection, rather than a collection, of the words in our maternall Englyſhe; a dictionary cannot afford a deciſive proof of the non-exiſtence of a word, in ſome other book, which the lexicographer may have never read."
— 1797, [George Chalmers], “§ II. Queen Elizabeth; and Her Letter”, in An Apology for the Believers in the Shakespeare-papers, which were Exhibited in Norfolk-Street, London: Printed for Thomas Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 106–107:
"The little blooming foundling was ſoon ordered to be produced before her, which brought the ſympathy of the mother to her eye, and to her heart. The infant had once, at leaſt, a maternal embrace; [...]. With a truly maternal care the child was placed with wife of one of the domeſticks of the Princeſs, provided with plain neceſſaries, and watched with the eye of humanity and tenderneſs."
— 1799 April 15, “P. M.”, “[Untitled letter to the editor]”, in Sylvanus Urban [pseudonym; Edward Cave], editor, The Gentleman’s Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, volume LXIX, part I, number IV, London: Printed by John Nichols, […]; [a]nd sold by Elizabeth Newbery, […], published April 1799, →OCLC, page 267:
"Thus lonely left, no soft maternal breast / His murmurs soothed, or cradled him to rest; / Moist with delight, no maternal eye / Watched his weak limbs their early efforts try, [...]"
— 1816 July, Hamilton Sydney Beresford, “Mahomet”, in Cambridge Prize Poems: Being a Complete Collection of the English Poems which have Obtained the Chancellor’s Gold Medal in the University of Cambridge, London: Printed for T. and J. Allman, […]; and sold by Baldwin, Cradock and Joy, […]; J. Deighton and Sons, […]; and J. Parker, […], published 1818, →OCLC, page 81, lines 79–82:
"Naïve parturient females [i.e., those that have never encountered young animals except for their own litter-mates], unlike most other naïve animals, display immediate maternal behavior as soon as they give birth, except for some rare infanticidal or indifferent mothers. […] This difference between the behavior of naïve mothers and naïve animals other than mothers suggests that gestation and parturition favor a very rapid establishment of maternal behavior."
— 1972, Elaine Noirot, “The Onset of Maternal Behavior in Rats, Hamsters, and Mice: A Selective Review”, in Daniel S. Lehrman, Robert A[ubrey] Hinde, Evelyn Shaw, editors, Advances in the Study of Behavior, volume 4, New York, N.Y.; London: Academic Press, →ISBN, section II (Sensitization or Priming), page 108:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ behavior towards the children included gentle hugs and kind words.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ instincts kicked in the moment she saw the lost child crying in the middle of the mall.