maternal maternal /məˈtɝːnəl/

adjective

1. () Characteristic of a mother  ( maternal )
   characteristic of a mother
    Warm maternal affection for her guest
   warm maternal affection for her guest
   
2. Relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent  ( maternal , parental , paternal )
   relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
    Parental guidance
   parental guidance
   
3. Related on the mother's side  ( enate , enatic , maternal )
   related on the mother's side
    My maternal grandmother
   my maternal grandmother
   
4. Relating to or derived from one's mother  ( maternal )
   relating to or derived from one's mother
    Maternal genes
   maternal genes