different between motherly vs mothering

English

Etymology

From Middle English moderly, from Old English m?dorl?? (“motherly, maternal”), from Proto-Germanic *m?d?rl?kaz (“motherly, maternal”), equivalent to mother +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?ð?li/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m?ð?li/

Adjective

motherly (comparative more motherly, superlative most motherly)

1. Befitting a mother; warm, caring, nurturing, protective, loving.

   • Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life.

Derived terms

• motherliness

Translations

English

Verb

mothering

1. present participle of mother

Noun

mothering (countable and uncountable, plural motherings)

1. The nurturing of a child by its mother.
2. The protective behaviour of a mother towards her child.
3. Nurturing or protective behaviour reminiscent of that performed by a literal mother.
4. (obsolete) Shortened form of a-mothering (obsolete); practice of visiting one's literal or figurative mother or mother church (compare Mothering Sunday).