maternal

 
Pronunciation: /məˈtəːn(ə)l/

adjective

  • relating to a mother, especially during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth: maternal care
  • (of feelings) typical of a caring mother; motherly: a mother who radiated maternal concern
  • [attributive] related through the mother’s side of the family: my maternal grandfather

Derivatives

maternalism

noun

maternalistic

Pronunciation: /-ˈlɪstɪk/
adjective

maternally

adverb

Origin:

late 15th century: from French maternel, from Latin maternus, from mater 'mother'