moth·er·ly /-li/
 (a.)母親的


 Moth·er·ly, a.  Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care.
 Syn: -- Maternal; paternal.
 Usage: -- Motherly, Maternal. Motherly, being Anglo-Saxon, is the most familiar word of the two when both have the same meaning.  Besides this, maternal is confined to the feelings of a mother toward her own children, whereas motherly has a secondary sense, denoting a care like that of a mother for her offspring.  There is, perhaps, a growing tendency thus to separate the two, confining motherly to the latter signification.  “They termed her the great mother, for her motherly care in cherishing her brethren whilst young.” --Sir W. Raleigh.


 Moth·er·ly, adv. In a manner of a mother.

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 motherly
      adj : befitting a mother; warm and nurturing
      adv : in a maternal manner; as a mother; "she loved her students
            almost maternally" [syn: maternally]