adjective. Of, like, or appropriate to a mother.

adjective. Showing the affection of a mother.

adverb. In a manner befitting a mother.

Pertaining to a mother: as, motherly power or authority.

Becoming or characteristic of a mother; tender; parental; affectionate: as, motherly love or care.

Like a mother.

Synonyms Motherly, Maternal, Parental. The same distinction holds between the Anglo-Saxon word and the Latin ones in this list that is found in the words compared under brotherly and under fatherly.

In the manner of a mother.

adjective. Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal.

adverb. In a manner of a mother.

adjective. Befitting a mother, warm, caring, nurturing, protective, loving.

adverb. in a maternal manner; as a mother

adjective. befitting a mother; warm and nurturing

"Is she "lacking in motherly inhibitions and propriety and self-control" [p. 156]?"

maternal  

brotherly  southerly  

affable  amiable  benevolent  brotherly  cheery  

maternal  paternal  tender