MATERNITY

motherliness, maternalism, maternal quality, maternity

(noun) the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother; “the girl’s motherliness made her invaluable in caring for the children”

motherhood, maternity

(noun) the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother

pregnancy, gestation, maternity

(noun) the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

maternity (countable and uncountable, plural maternities)

The state of being a mother; motherhood.

The state of being pregnant; pregnancy.

A ward or department in a hospital in which babies are born.

Synonyms

• (ward): maternity ward

Antonyms

• paternity (with respect to gender)

Source: Wiktionary

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Ma*ter"ni*ty, n. Etym: [F. maternité, LL. maternitas.]

Definition: The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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