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maternal

maternal

adjective mah-tehr-NAHL Rare

Origin: From Latin maternalis, from mater (mother).

Also means

motherly

Usage Note

Maternal describes nurturing, motherly qualities — instinto maternal (maternal instinct), amor maternal (motherly love). Do not confuse it with materno, which means 'of/from the mother' in fixed terms: lengua materna (mother tongue), abuela materna (maternal grandmother). Maternal is invariable in gender.

Examples

"Tiene un amor maternal muy fuerte."

Natural Translation

She has a very strong maternal love.

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