MATERNAL


Meaning of MATERNAL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ mə-ˈtər-n ə l ]

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.