See Also: MATERNITY(law)
maternity(dictionary)
maternity(medicine)
maternity 2, noun(dictionary)
maternity 1, adjective(dictionary)
maternity leave(dictionary)
hospitals, maternity(medicine)
Maternity leave(health)
Maternity cycle(health)
Maternity center(health)

maternity (iou)



maternity noun & adjective. E17.
[French maternite from medieval Latin maternitas, from Latin maternus: see -ITY.]
A. noun.
The quality or condition of being a mother; motherhood. E17.
S. Kitzinger She feels tied down by maternity and domesticity.
The qualities or conduct characteristic of a mother; motherliness. E19.
H. Drummond The tender maternity of the bird.
A maternity ward or hospital. L19.
b. attrib. adjective.
For a woman during and just after childbirth. L19.
maternity benefit, maternity hospital, maternity leave, etc.
Of a garment etc.: suitable for a pregnant woman. L19.
maternity dress, maternity wear, etc.