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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Maternity

/mət-ẽrn'-ĭt-ē/ · Ma·ter·ni·ty · IPA /məˈtɜː(ɹ)nɪti/
01 n. The state of being a mother; motherhood.
  1. 1.
    The state of being a mother; motherhood.
  2. 2.
    The character of a mother; maternal quality; motherliness.
  3. 3.
    The maternity ward; the maternity department of a hospital.
02 a. Of or pertaining to childbirth or the period during which a woman is pregnant; as, maternity care; a maternity hospital.
  1. 1.
    Of or pertaining to childbirth or the period during which a woman is pregnant; as, maternity care; a maternity hospital.
  2. 2.
    For use during pregnancy; as, a maternity outfit.