a female parent.

( often initial capital letter ) one's female parent.

a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother.

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.

mother superior.

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.

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.

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.

to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally

a woman with a need to mother.

mother of all

the greatest or most notable example of

the mother of all mystery novels.

noun

father

noun

ancestor , child-bearer , creator , forebearer , mom * , mommy , origin , parent , predecessor , procreator , progenitor , source , antecedent , ascendant , father , forebear , forefather , foremother , beginning , derivation , fount , fountain , fountainhead , provenance , provenience , root , rootstock , spring , well , ancestress , dam , generatrix , genetrix , mater , materfamilias , matriarch , matron