| 释义 |
ma·ter·ni·ty
I. \məˈtərnəd.ē, -tə̄n-, -təin-, -nətē, -i\ noun
(-es)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French maternité, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin maternitat-, maternitas quality or state of being a mother church, from Latin maternus of a mother, maternal + -itat-, -itas -ity
1.
a.
(1) : the quality or state of being a mother : motherhood
(2) : the quality or state of being pregnant
< successive maternities >
b. : the qualities belonging to or associated with motherhood : motherliness, maternalism
2. : a hospital or a section of a hospital designed for the care of women immediately before and during childbirth and for the care of newborn babies
3. : a usually loose or adjustable garment worn during pregnancy
II. adjective
Etymology: maternity, noun
1. : designed for wear during pregnancy
< a maternity dress >
2. : effective for the period close to and including childbirth
< maternity leave > |