Maternalised

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Having been given a nurturing, motherly quality ; placed under a mother's guiding influence or care
2. Shaped into a caring, protective manner typical of a mother ; brought within the sphere of a maternal figure's influence
3. Rendered motherly in nature or conduct ; subjected to the guidance and protection associated with a mother

Etymology: "Maternalised" is the past form of "maternalise", a verb meaning to make something maternal in character or to bring it under maternal influence. The verb is built from "maternal", which comes from Latin "maternus", meaning "of a mother", itself from "mater", "mother". English gained the adjective through French, and the suffix "-ise" (spelled "-ize" in American English) turns the adjective into a verb meaning to make or become something. The verb itself is a modern formation, following the same pattern as "feminise", "masculinise" and "paternalise", in which an adjective of relationship is given a verbal ending to describe the process of acquiring its qualities. Its use is therefore a straightforward extension of an existing adjective rather than a word with a dramatic history of its own.

Synonyms: nurture, mother, foster