— maternalism , n. — maternalistic , adj. — maternally , adv.
/meuh terr"nl/ , adj.
1. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother: maternal instincts.
2. related through a mother: his maternal aunt.
3. derived from a mother: maternal genes.
[ 1475-85; maternalis, equiv. to L matern ( us ) ( mater MOTHER + -nus adj. suffix) + -alis -AL 1 ]