ma·ter·ni·ty (m -tûr n -t )n. pl. ma·ter·ni·ties 1. The state of being a mother; motherhood. 2. The feelings or characteristics associated with being a mother; motherliness. 3. A maternity ward. adj. Relating to or effective during pregnancy, childbirth, or the first months of motherhood: a maternity dress; maternity leave.
[French maternité, from Medieval Latin m ternit s, from Latin m ternus, maternal; see maternal.] |
maternity Noun 1. motherhood 2. motherliness Adjective relating to women during pregnancy or childbirth: maternity leave
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | maternity - the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterusamnio, amniocentesis - (pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities stretch mark - a narrow band resulting from tension on the skin (as on abdominal skin after pregnancy) endometrium - (pregnancy) the mucous membrane that lines the uterus; thickens under hormonal control and (if pregnancy does not occur) is shed in menstruation; if pregnancy occurs it is shed along with the placenta at parturition trouble - an unwanted pregnancy; "he got several girls in trouble" gravida - the number of the pregnancy that a woman is in; "in her third pregnancy a woman is said to be gravida three" para, parity - (obstetrics) the number of liveborn children a woman has delivered; "the parity of the mother must be considered"; "a bipara is a woman who has given birth to two children" quickening - the stage of pregnancy at which the mother first feels the movements of the fetus placenta previa - pregnancy in which the placenta is implanted in the lower part of the uterus (instead of the upper part); can cause bleeding late in pregnancy; delivery by cesarean section may be necessary phlebothrombosis, venous thrombosis - thrombosis of a vein without prior inflammation of the vein; associated with sluggish blood flow (as in prolonged bedrest or pregnancy or surgery) or with rapid coagulation of the blood morning sickness - nausea early in the day; a characteristic symptom in the early months of pregnancy | | 2. | maternity - the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother | | 3. | maternity - 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" |
maternity
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