moth·er·ly /-li/
(a.)母親的
Moth·er·ly, a. Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care.
Syn: -- Maternal; paternal.
Usage: -- Motherly, Maternal. Motherly, being Anglo-Saxon, is the most familiar word of the two when both have the same meaning. Besides this, maternal is confined to the feelings of a mother toward her own children, whereas motherly has a secondary sense, denoting a care like that of a mother for her offspring. There is, perhaps, a growing tendency thus to separate the two, confining motherly to the latter signification. “They termed her the great mother, for her motherly care in cherishing her brethren whilst young.” --Sir W. Raleigh.
Moth·er·ly, adv. In a manner of a mother.
◄ ►
motherly
adj : befitting a mother; warm and nurturing
adv : in a maternal manner; as a mother; "she loved her students
almost maternally" [syn: maternally]