a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.
See
a woman exercising control, influence, or authority like that of a mother: to be a mother to someone.
the qualities characteristic of a mother, as maternal affection: It is the mother in her showing itself.
something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source.
(in disc recording) a mold from which stampers are made.
the greatest or most notable example of: the mother of all mystery novels.
—adj.
being a mother: a mother bird.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a mother: mother love.
derived from or as if from one's mother; native: his mother culture.
bearing a relation like that of a mother, as in being the origin, source, or protector: the mother company and its affiliates; the mother computer and its network of terminals.
—v.t.
to be the mother of; give origin or rise to.
to acknowledge oneself the author of; assume as one's own.
to care for or protect like a mother; act maternally toward.
—v.i.
to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally: a woman with a need to mother.
a stringy, mucilaginous substance consisting of various bacteria, esp. Mycoderma aceti, that forms on the surface of a fermenting liquid and causes fermentation when added to other liquids, as in changing wine or cider to vinegar. Also called