| English Dictionary |
MATERNAL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does maternal mean?
• MATERNAL (adjective)
The adjective MATERNAL has 4 senses:
1. characteristic of a mother
2. relating to or derived from one's mother
3. relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
4. related on the mother's side
Familiarity information: MATERNAL used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Characteristic of a mother
Context example:
warm maternal affection for her guest
Similar:
maternalistic (showing maternal instincts)
motherlike (suggestive of or acting like a mother)
motherly (befitting a mother; warm and nurturing)
Also:
matriarchal (characteristic of a matriarchy)
Attribute:
maternal quality; maternalism; maternity; motherliness (the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother)
Antonym:
paternal (characteristic of a father)
Derivation:
maternity (the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Relating to or derived from one's mother
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context example:
maternal genes
Pertainym:
mother (a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother))
Sense 3
Meaning:
Relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
Synonyms:
Context example:
parental guidance
Sense 4
Meaning:
Related on the mother's side
Synonyms:
Context example:
my maternal grandmother
Similar:
related (connected by kinship, common origin, or marriage)
Context examples
A mucus plug situated in the maternal cervical os during pregnancy that prevents entry of bacteria into the uterus.
(Cervical Mucus Plug, NCI Thesaurus)
Fetal heart rate patterns not associated with maternal uterine contractions.
(Episodic Fetal Heart Rate Pattern, NCI Thesaurus)
The movement of the fetus led by the presenting part into the maternal pelvic cavity during active labor.
(Fetal Descent, NCI Thesaurus)
A position adopted by the fetus during labor when its head moves down into the maternal pelvic cavity.
(Fetal Engagement, NCI Thesaurus)
It occurs as a result of problems within the placenta, as can occur in preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or maternal smoking.
(Heart disease risk begins in the womb, University of Cambridge)
They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father's, from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though untitled—families.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Until now there has been limited understanding of how the placenta is altered by advanced maternal age.
(Placenta changes could mean male offspring of older mums more likely to develop heart problems in later life, University of Cambridge)
Proper maternal folate levels during pregnancy may protect children from a future risk of obesity, especially those born to obese mothers, according to a study.
(Proper maternal folate level may reduce child obesity risk, NIH)
A change in the position of the head of the fetus as it descends through the maternal pelvic cavity during labor and delivery.
(Fetal Extension, NCI Thesaurus)
The site of fetal cardiac sounds that can be distinctly detected in relation to the maternal abdomen.
(Fetal Heart Tone Location, NCI Thesaurus)
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