MATERNALISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does maternalism mean? 

• MATERNALISM (noun)
  The noun MATERNALISM has 2 senses:

1. the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother

2. motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her children

  Familiarity information: MATERNALISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MATERNALISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

maternal quality; maternalism; maternity; motherliness

Context example:

the girl's motherliness made her invaluable in caring for the children

Hypernyms ("maternalism" is a kind of...):

parental quality (a quality appropriate to a parent)

Attribute:

maternal (characteristic of a mother)

Derivation:

maternalistic (showing maternal instincts)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her children

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("maternalism" is a kind of...):

aid; attention; care; tending (the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something)

Derivation:

maternalistic (showing maternal instincts)