I. məˈtərn ə l, -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