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Glite Dictionary
maternalism

maternalism

7.9
A way of caring for and protecting others like a mother
  • noun
  • /məˈtɜrnəlɪzəm/
translation icon : maternalismo
  • Many of her decisions were influenced by a strong sense of maternalism towards her students.

Examples

  • Paternalism and maternalism produce good feelings.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The community embraced a spirit of maternalism, offering support to new parents and their families.

  • His mother moved with sublime maternalism.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Such proof of maternalism, however, actually demonstrates a public and financial display of philanthropy more typical of paternalism.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Her maternalism shone through as she cared for the children at the shelter.

Synonyms

motherliness
vsmaternalism
4.2

A warm, gentle way of caring for others like a mother

emphasizes active caring, nurturing, and protecting beyond simple affection
maternal quality
vsmaternalism
4.5

Warm, gentle love and care like a mother gives

stresses behavior and protection as well as affectionate feelings

Antonyms

neglect
100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

How Maternal

maternalism
7.9
detachment
21 6.1
indifference
71 4.6

Surface Forms

maternalism singular
maternalisms plural

Morphology

maternalism = maternal (transparent) = maternal + ism

A clear noun formation from the adjective 'maternal' with '-ism' indicating an attitude, ideology, or practice; learners who know 'maternal' and the productive '-ism' will infer the meaning.

Etymology

Maternalism comes from the old root mater, which means 'mother' and is the same idea behind the English word mother. So maternalism means caring for, protecting, and acting like a mother.