How Do You Spell MATERNAL IMPRESSION?

Pronunciation: [mətˈɜːnə͡l ɪmpɹˈɛʃən] (IPA)

Maternal impression is a term used in medical literature to describe the belief that a mother’s thoughts and emotions during pregnancy can have an impact on the physical characteristics of her unborn child. The word is spelled using regular English orthography, with ‘maternal’ pronounced /məˈtɜːnəl/ and ‘impression’ pronounced /ɪmˈprɛʃən/. The ‘a’ in ‘maternal’ is pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’, and the ‘i’ in ‘impression’ is pronounced like the ‘i’ in ‘internet’. The stress is on the second syllable of ‘maternal’ and the first syllable of ‘impression’.

MATERNAL IMPRESSION Meaning and Definition

1. Maternal impression refers to a belief, found predominantly in traditional cultures and folklore, that a pregnant woman's thoughts, emotions, or experiences can directly influence the physical or mental characteristics of her unborn child. This belief suggests that external stimuli or events experienced by the mother during pregnancy can leave a lasting impression on the developing fetus, shaping its appearance, temperament, or abilities.

   According to the concept of maternal impression, these impressions can be created by a wide range of encounters, such as witnessing or being emotionally impacted by certain events, coming into contact with specific animals, or even strong cravings or aversions experienced by the mother. For instance, it was commonly believed that if a pregnant woman saw a frightening image or encountered someone with a physical deformity, her child might be born with a similar disfigurement.

   It is important to note that maternal impression is not supported by current scientific understanding. Modern medical research has not provided evidence to prove a direct connection between a pregnant woman's experiences and the physical or mental characteristics of her child. Instead, prenatal development is primarily determined by genetic factors and basic biological processes.

   However, the belief in maternal impression has played a significant role in shaping cultural beliefs, mythologies, and superstitions surrounding pregnancy and childbirth throughout history. It highlights the cultural fascination with the mysteries and potential influences of the maternal experience on the unborn child.

2. A strong emotion or shock, experienced by a pregnant woman, supposed to be the cause of a malformation or surface marking of the fetus; also this lesion or malformation supposed to result from the mental impression of the mother.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for MATERNAL IMPRESSION

• maternal impressioo
• m aternal impression
• ma ternal impression
• mat ernal impression
• mate rnal impression
• mater nal impression
• matern al impression
• materna l impression
• maternal i mpression
• maternal impr ession
• maternal impre ssion
• maternal impres sion
• maternal impress ion
• maternal impressi on
• maternal impressio n

Etymology of MATERNAL IMPRESSION

The term "maternal impression" is derived from the combination of two words: "maternal" and "impression".

The word "maternal" comes from the Latin word "māternus", which means "motherly" or "of a mother". It can be traced back further to the Proto-Indo-European root "*méh₂tēr", meaning "mother".

The term "impression" comes from the Latin word "impressio", which means "a stamping" or "imprint". It is derived from the verb "imprimere", which combines "im-" (into) and "premere" (to press). In essence, "impression" refers to the act of pressing onto a surface to leave a mark or a lasting effect.