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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary ma·ter·nal ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis,from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother DATE 15th century 1. of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly 2. a. related through a mother his maternal aunt b. inherited or derived from the female parent maternal genes English Etymology maternal late 15c., from O.Fr . maternel (14c.), from V.L. *maternalis, from L. maternus "maternal, of a mother," from mater "mother" (see mother).http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 maternal ma·ter·nal / mE5tE:nl; NAmE mE5tE:rnl / adjective1. having feelings that are typical of a caring mother towards a child 母亲的；母亲般慈爱的: maternal love 母爱 I'm not very maternal. 我不太像个母亲。 She didn't have any maternal instincts. 她没有一点做母亲的天性。 2. connected with being a mother 母亲的；作为母亲的: Maternal age affects the baby's survival rate. 母亲的年龄影响婴儿的成活率。 3. [only before noun] related through the mother's side of the family 母系的；母亲方面的: my maternal grandfather (= my mother's father) 我的外祖父 • ma·ter·nal·ly / -nEli / adv.: She behaved maternally towards her students. 她以母亲般的慈爱对待自己的学生。 ⇨ compare paternal Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged ma·ter·nal I. \məˈtərnəl, -tə̄n-, -təin-\ adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus of a mother, maternal (from mater mother) + -alis -al — more at mother 1. of a language : acquired before any other language : being one's mother language < English is their maternal language > 2. a. (1) : of, relating to, or being like that of a mother : motherly < a warm maternal affection for her guest — Dorothy Sayers > < maternal instincts > < maternal solicitude > (2) archaic : being a mother : considered as a mother < his maternal country > (3) : suggestive of or acting like a mother < my maternal waitress advised me in the selection of my lunch — Arnold Bennett > b. : belonging to a mother < glanced over the maternal shoulder > 3. a. : related through a mother or on a mother's side < his maternal uncle > b. : inherited or derived from a mother < exhibited both maternal traits of character and physical characteristics > c. : matrilineal II. noun (-s) : mother , matron < our frustrated young maternals — Christopher Morley > |
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