Webster's English Dictionary

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maternal

ma.ter.nal \m*-'t*rn-*l\ \-*l-e-\ aj [ME, fr. MF maternel, fr. L maternus, 
   fr. mater mother - mo]re at MOTHER 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of 
   a mother : MOTHERLY  2a: related through a mother  2b: inherited or derived 
   from a mother  - ma.ter.nal.ly av