Motherly

  • 1Motherly — Moth er*ly, a. [AS. m[=o]dorlic.] Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care. Hooker. [1913 Webster] Syn: Maternal; paternal. Usage: {Motherly}, {Maternal}. Motherly,… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Motherly — Moth er*ly, adv. In a manner of a mother. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3motherly — (adj.) O.E. modorlic pertaining to a mother; see MOTHER (Cf. mother) (n.1) + LY (Cf. ly) (1). Meaning befitting a mother is from mid 13c. Related: Motherliness …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4motherly — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ of or characteristic of a mother, especially in being caring, protective, and kind. DERIVATIVES motherliness noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5motherly — [muth′ərlē] adj. 1. of a mother 2. having traits considered typical of mothers; kind, protective, nurturing, etc. adv. Archaic as a mother motherliness n …

    English World dictionary

  • 6motherly — moth|er|ly [ˈmʌðəli US ðər ] adj a motherly woman is loving and kind, like a good mother →↑maternal ▪ her motherly instincts ▪ She was a plump, motherly woman in her fifties. >motherliness n [U] …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 7motherly — [[t]mʌ̱ðə(r)li[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n Motherly feelings or actions are like those of a kind mother. It was an incredible display of motherly love and forgiveness. ...a plump, motherly woman. Syn: maternal …

    English dictionary

  • 8motherly — motherliness, n. /mudh euhr lee/, adj. 1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a mother; maternal: motherly solicitude. 2. like a mother: to take a motherly interest in an orphan. adv. 3. in the manner of a mother. [bef. 1000; ME… …

    Universalium

  • 9motherly — moth|er|ly [ mʌðərli ] adjective typical of a good mother: motherly advice/love/qualities a kind, motherly woman ╾ moth|er|li|ness noun uncount …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 10motherly — UK [ˈmʌðə(r)lɪ] / US [ˈmʌðərlɪ] adjective typical of a good mother motherly love a kind, motherly woman Derived word: motherliness noun uncountable …

    English dictionary