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   ma·ter·nal

   /məˈtərn(ə)l/

   adjective

   • 1. relating to a mother, especially during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth: "maternal care" Similar on one's mother's sideon the distaff sideOpposite paternal
   • ▪ denoting feelings associated with or typical of a mother; motherly: "maternal instincts" Similar motherlymaternalisticprotectivecaringnurturinglovingdevotedaffectionatefondwarmtendergentlekindkindlycomfortingcompassionate
   • ▪ related through the mother's side of the family: "my maternal grandfather"

   Word Origin late 15th century: from French maternel, from Latin maternus, from mater ‘mother’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. maternalism noun
   • 2. maternalist adjective
   • 3. maternalistic adjective
   • 4. maternally adverb

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • M

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • N

     1

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

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