different between motherly vs otherly

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

Etymology 1

From other +? -ly.

Adjective

otherly (comparative more otherly, superlative most otherly)

1. Pertaining to something or someone else; different.
   • 1989, John R. Seeley, Community chest: a case study in philanthropy:

     As against this "otherly" and warlike definition, there occurs and recurs, both in the public relations literature and in the serious discussion of policy, a more "brotherly" and peaceful set of themes, parallel to those which permit [...]

   • 2000, Phoebe Eng, Warrior Lessons: An Asian American Woman's Journey Into Power:

     [...] sense of cultural pride, we have become fixated on the only apparent characteristic that labels us as otherly.

2. Pertaining or directed toward others; otherish.
   • 2011, Ed Cook, Just a Thought:

     He has no needs or wants that are not met within the eternal community of otherly love known as the triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit. God doesn't need us.

Derived terms

• otherliness

Etymology 2

From Middle English otherliche, from Old English ?þerl??e (“otherwise, differently”), equivalent to other +? -ly. Cognate with Old Saxon ?þarl?k, Old High German andarl?h, Icelandic annarligur, Gothic ???????????????????????????????????????? (anþarleik?, “otherwise”).

Adverb

otherly (comparative more otherly, superlative most otherly)

1. (nonstandard) Otherwise; differently.

Anagrams

• Rothley, Thorley, helotry