WordWeb Online

1. Characteristic of a mother
   "warm maternal affection for her guest"
    
2. Relating to or derived from one's mother
   "maternal genes"
    
3. Relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
   "maternal guidance";
   - parental, paternal
    
4. Related on the mother's side
   "my maternal grandmother";
   - enate, enatic

See also: maternal quality, maternalism, maternalistic, maternity, matriarchal, motherlike, motherliness, motherly, related

Antonym: paternal

Encyclopedia: Maternal