[ma.ter.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (1611) 1 a: the quality or state of being a mother: motherhood b: the qualities of a mother: motherliness
2: a hospital facility designed for the care of women before and during childbirth and for the care of newborn babies
[2]maternity adj (1893) 1: designed for wear during pregnancy "a ~ dress"
2: effective for the period close to and including childbirth "~ leave"