| / English Dictionary |
MOTHERLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Befitting a mother; warm and nurturing
Classified under:
Similar:
maternal (characteristic of a mother)
Derivation:
mother (a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother))
motherliness (the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a maternal manner; as a mother
Example:
she loved her students almost maternally
Synonyms:
maternally; motherly
Classified under:
Context examples:
"I'm very sorry you were disappointed, dear, but we all did our best to satisfy you," said Mrs. March, in a tone full of motherly regret.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
"Poor old Jo! She came in looking as if bears were after her," said Beth, as she cuddled her sister's feet with a motherly air.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Mr. Laurence watches over us like a motherly old hen, as Jo says, and Laurie is very kind and neighborly.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
You know as well as I that it does make a difference with nearly everyone, so don't ruffle up like a dear, motherly hen, when your chickens get pecked by smarter birds.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The last words were in answer to the look the elder lady gave him, a kindly questioning look which the handsome eyes met so frankly that the little ceremony closed, as usual, with a motherly kiss.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Now I'm going to tie John's cravat for him, and then to stay a few minutes with Father quietly in the study, and Meg ran down to perform these little ceremonies, and then to follow her mother wherever she went, conscious that in spite of the smiles on the motherly face, there was a secret sorrow hid in the motherly heart at the flight of the first bird from the nest.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Now, my dear, make yourself at home, said Mrs. K. in her motherly way, I'm on the drive from morning to night, as you may suppose with such a family, but a great anxiety will be off my mind if I know the children are safe with you.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
This gaiety did not impose upon anybody, but they tried to look as if it did for his sake, and he got on very well till Mrs. March kissed him, with a whisper full of motherly solicitude.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Mrs. March is as brisk and cheery, though rather grayer, than when we saw her last, and just now so absorbed in Meg's affairs that the hospitals and homes still full of wounded 'boys' and soldiers' widows, decidedly miss the motherly missionary's visits.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Glad to find you so merry, my girls, said a cheery voice at the door, and actors and audience turned to welcome a tall, motherly lady with a 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
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