Maternal vs Fraternal - What's the difference?
maternal | fraternal | Antonyms |
Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother, motherly.
Related through the mother, or her side of the family.
(anatomy, medicine) Derived from the mother as opposed to the foetus during pregnancy.
Of brothers (fraternal twins ).
Related through a brother (fraternal nephew ).
In need of a brother or sister or friend.
Like brothers (fraternal cousins ).
Brotherly, befitting or of a brother or brothers.
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Friendly or brotherly (e.g. fraternal relations between socialist parties in different countries).
Being or of a society of men linked in brotherly union ( ).
Platonic (as fraternal love - brotherly love).
Fraternal is a antonym of maternal.
As adjectives the difference between maternal and fraternal
is that maternal is of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother, motherly while fraternal is of brothers (fraternal twins).maternal
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.
- Toby is my maternal uncle.
Derived terms
* maternal aunt * maternal cousin * maternal death * maternal grandfather * maternal grandmother * maternal uncleAntonyms
* paternal – fatherCoordinate terms
* avuncular – uncle * materteral – aunt * paternal – fatherfraternal
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil! You! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.