Maternalize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause someone or something to take on the nurturing qualities or protective attitude of a mother
2. To give a person or thing the caring, motherly character typically associated with a mother
3. To render something maternal in nature, or to bring about a mother-like disposition in someone

Etymology: "Maternalize" is about as transparent as English coinages get: it joins "maternal," from Latin "maternus," meaning "of a mother," to the suffix "-ize," which turns a word into a verb meaning "make or become like." Put together, it means to make someone motherly, or to give something a motherly character. The "-ize" ending came into English through Latin and Greek, where it marked verbs formed from nouns and adjectives, so "maternalize" follows the same pattern as "familiarize" or "civilize." Because the suffix can be attached to nearly any adjective, speakers can create new verbs like this one on the spot whenever a precise action needs naming.

Synonyms: mother, nurture