maternal

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ma|ter|nal /mət'ɜːrnəl/
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Maternal is used to describe feelings or actions which are typical of those of a kind mother towards her child.
She had little maternal instinct...
Her feelings towards him were almost maternal.
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
Maternal is used to describe things that relate to the mother of a baby.
Maternal smoking can damage the unborn child.
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
A maternal relative is one who is related through a person's mother rather than their father.
Her maternal grandfather was Mayor of Karachi.

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