/ məˈtɜːnəti; NAmE -ˈtɜːrn-/ noun
[ U ] the state of being or becoming a mother :
maternity clothes (= clothes for women who are pregnant)
a maternity ward / hospital (= one where women go to give birth to their babies)
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French maternité , from Latin maternus , from mater mother.