/məˈtɜːrnl/
ma·ter·nal
BrE /məˈtɜːnl/
NAmE /məˈtɜːrnl/
having feelings that are typical of a caring mother towards a child
maternal love
I’m not very maternal.
She didn’t have any maternal instincts.
connected with being a mother
Maternal age affects the baby’s survival rate.
[only before noun]
related through the mother’s side of the family
my maternal grandfather (= my mother’s father)
▸
ma·ter·nal·ly
BrE /məˈtɜːnəli/
NAmE /məˈtɜːrnəli/
She behaved maternally towards her students.
➡ compare paternal