Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Maternal \Ma*ter"nal\, a. [F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater
   mother. See {Mother}.]
   Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly;
   as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.

   Syn: See {Motherly}.

Source : WordNet®

maternal
     adj 1: characteristic of a mother; "warm maternal affection for her
            guest"- Dorothy Sayers [ant: {paternal}]
     2: relating to or derived from one's mother; "maternal genes"
     3: relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent;
        "parental guidance" [syn: {parental}, {paternal}] [ant: {filial}]
     4: related on the mother's side; "my maternal grandmother"
        [syn: {enate}, {enatic}, {maternal(p)}]