Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective suggestive of or acting like a mother; motherly; maternal.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective having the quality or suggestive of a mother; maternal, motherly

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective suggestive of or acting like a mother

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The power of a mother, or motherlike relationship, lasts a lifetime.

    God’s Guest List Debbie Macomber 2010

  • And after that she had kist me, she kneeled beside me, and lookt at me, very dear and tender; so that I knew in a moment that she had waked a while gone, and watched me, somewise motherlike, as I did sleep.

    The Night Land 2007

  • She said to herself: this little one that is coming will be all mine, belong to me alone; for, young-motherlike, she forgot in her way, just as Annemarie in hers, that two go to the parenting of a child.

    Two Tales of Old Strasbourg 2003

  • That, and her secret knowledge of Garron's fortune, for she had discovered and counted it herself and, motherlike, told the boy.

    A Village of Vagabonds

  • Once, motherlike, she inquired if there were anything he would like her to send him.

    The Angel Adjutant of "Twice Born Men" Minnie Lindsay Rowell Carpenter

  • Corney McVeigh stepped across the ancient threshold and gazed long and searchingly at the face in the darkened parlor; a face seamed and thin with toil and worry, yet infinitely sweet and motherlike to the world-lost man who choked back the tears as he felt again that almost forgotten child-love.

    Nancy McVeigh of the Monk Road 1921

  • And after that she had kist me, she kneeled beside me, and lookt at me, very dear and tender; so that I knew in a moment that she had waked a while gone, and watched me, somewise motherlike, as I did sleep.

    The Night Land: Chapter 12 1912

  • His mother looked at him across the supper table and was pleased to see the renewal of cheerfulness, and then, motherlike, sighed to think that

    The Lovely Lady Mary Hunter Austin 1901

  • Mrs. Halifax looked after them proudly – motherlike, she gloried in her sons; while John, walking slowly, and assuring Mrs. Tod over and over again that we should all come back next summer, went down the steep hill, carrying, hidden under many wraps and nestled close to his warm shoulder, his little frail winter rose – his only daughter.

    John Halifax, Gentleman 1897

  • But the new King has a niece and the Count himself has a mother, who, motherlike, is convinced that her son's mysterious love is a very bad person, if not an actual _maufès_ or devil, and is very anxious that he shall marry the niece.

    A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 George Saintsbury 1889

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