Main Entry:

ma·ter·nal

Pronunciation:

\mə-ˈtər-n^əl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French maternel, from Medieval Latin maternalis, from Latin maternus, from mater mother — more at mother

Date:

15th century

1: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly2 a: related through a mother <his maternal aunt> b: inherited or derived from the female parent <maternal genes>

— ma·ter·nal·ly \-n^əl-ē\ adverb