maternal /məˈtɚnəl/ adjective Learner's definition of MATERNAL
1
a : of or relating to a mother : motherly母亲的;母爱般的 b always used before a noun : of or relating to a woman who is having a baby产妇的;孕妇的 2
always used before a noun : related through the mother母系的;母亲方面的 — compare paternal