MATERNITY


Meaning of MATERNITY in English

I. mə-ˈtər-nə-tē noun

( plural -ties )

Date: 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

II. adjective

Date: 1893

1. : designed for wear during pregnancy

a maternity dress

2. : effective for the period close to and including childbirth

maternity leave

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