maternalism

ma·ter·nal

M0149900 (mə-tûr′nəl)adj.1. Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly: maternal instinct.2. Inherited from one's mother: a maternal trait.3. Related through one's mother: my maternal uncle.

---

[Middle English, from Old French maternel, from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter, mother; see māter- in Indo-European roots.]

---

ma·ter′nal·ism n.ma·ter′nal·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	maternalism - 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"maternal quality, motherliness, maternityparental quality - a quality appropriate to a parent
	2.	maternalism - motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her childrencare, tending, attention, aid - the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something; "no medical care was required"; "the old car needs constant attention"