adj.
Pronunciation: m ə - ' t ə r-n ə l
Function: adjective
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>
– ma · ter · nal · ly \ -n ə l- ē \ adverb