| matern |
| maternal | (adj) characteristic of a mother; - Dorothy Sayers, Ant. paternal, Example: warm maternal affection for her guest |
| maternal | (adj) relating to or derived from one's mother, Example: maternal genes |
| maternal-infant bonding | (n) the attachment that forms between an infant and its mother beginning at birth, Example: maternal-infant bonding influences the child's psychological and physical development |
| maternalism | (n) motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her children |
| maternalistic | (adj) showing maternal instincts |
| maternally | (adv) in a maternal manner; as a mother, Syn. motherly, Example: she loved her students almost maternally |
| maternity hospital | (n) a hospital that provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth and for newborn infants |
| maternity ward | (n) a hospital ward that provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth and for newborn infants |
| Maternal | a. [ F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater mother. See Mother. ] Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly; |
| maternalistic | adj. showing maternal instincts; behaving as a mother should; motherly. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |
| Maternally | adv. In a motherly manner. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Maternity | n. [ F. maternité, LL. maternitas. ] |
| maternity | a. |
| maternity ward | n. The section of a hospital devoted to assisting women during childbirth and caring for them and their newborn infants until they are released to go home. [ PJC ] |
