maternall

Adjective

maternal (comparative more maternal, superlative most maternal)

1. Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother; motherly.
   • His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.

   Antonyms:

   fatherly, paternal

2. Related through the mother, or her side of the family.
   • Toby is my maternal uncle.

   Antonyms:

   paternal

3. Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.
   • The facts which have now been stated warrant, I think, the conclusion, that the human placenta does not consist of two parts, maternal and fœtal, that no cells exist in its substance, and that there is no communication between the uterus and the placenta by large arteries and veins.1831 November 17, Robert Lee, “III. On the Structure of the Human Placenta, and Its Connexion with the Uterus.”, in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, part I, London: Printed...

   Antonyms:

   fetal, foetal

See all 5 meanings of maternal