The word "motherly" is spelled with the letter "o" after the letter "t" followed by the letters "h" and "e". The correct phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈmʌðərli/. The stress in the word falls on the first syllable, which is pronounced as "muh". The letter "o" in the second syllable is pronounced as a schwa sound, which makes it sound almost like the vowel sound in "uh". Overall, the spelling and pronunciation of "motherly" accurately depict its meaning, which refers to behaviors or qualities associated with a mother, especially in a caring and nurturing way.
Motherly is an adjective that pertains to the character, behavior, or qualities associated with a mother or motherhood. It describes the warm, nurturing, and protective attributes typically exhibited by a mother towards her children. Someone who is described as motherly possesses these qualities towards others, regardless of their biological relationship.
The term conveys a sense of care, compassion, and empathy that is often associated with mothers. A motherly person tends to display tenderness, kindness, and affection towards others, offering emotional support and guidance similar to what a mother would provide.
The motherly behavior often entails looking after the well-being and best interests of those in their care. It reflects qualities such as patience, understanding, and willingness to listen. A motherly figure is seen as comforting, loving, and providing a sense of security and protection.
The concept of motherly can extend beyond women who are biological mothers. It can also be used to describe anyone who exhibits the nurturing behaviors traditionally associated with motherhood. This may include individuals in caregiving roles, mentors, or even friends who offer unconditional love, support, and guidance to others.
In summary, motherly refers to the nurturing, caring, and protective qualities usually associated with mothers. It encompasses the attributes of love, empathy, and supportiveness exhibited towards others, regardless of biological relationships.
• In the manner of a mother.
• Pert. to a mother; becoming a mother; affectionate; tender.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "motherly" has its roots in Old English. It is derived from the combination of "modor" (meaning "mother") and "-ly" (a suffix used to form adjectives from nouns). Over time, the term "motherly" developed to describe qualities or behavior resembling that of a mother.