mother
/ˈmʌðɚ/ noun A1- A female parent, especially of a human; a female who parents a child (which she has given birth to, adopted, fostered, etc). · I am visiting my mother any moment.· The lioness was a mother of four cubs.
- A pregnant female; mother-to-be; a female who gestates a baby. · Nutrients and oxygen obtained by the mother are conveyed to the fetus.
- A female who donates a fertilized egg or donates a body cell which has resulted in a clone.
- A female ancestor.
- A source or origin. · Near-synonym: matrix· The Mediterranean was mother to many cultures and languages.
- Something that is the greatest or most significant of its kind. (See mother of all.) · Near-synonym: Big One· 1991, January 17, Saddam Hussein, Broadcast on Baghdad state radio. The great duel, the mother of all battles has begun.
- A title of respect for one's mother-in-law. · Mother Smith, meet my cousin, Doug Jones.
- A term of address for one's wife.
Plural mothers
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
There are situations which the heart of a father or a mother cannot be made to understand.
I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”
“Dear mother,” interposed Renée, “you know very well it was agreed that all these disagreeable reminiscences should forever be laid aside.”
“For my part, dear mother,” interposed Renée, “I trust your wishes will not prosper, and that Providence will only permit petty offenders, poor debtors, and miserable cheats to fall into M.
Other matches
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