mother

moth·er (mr)

n.

1. A woman who conceives, gives birth to, or raises and nurtures a child.

2. A female parent of an animal.

3. A structure, such as a mother cell, from which other similar bodies are formed.

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mother

maternal parent; in animals, usually called the dam.

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mother hairs

kemp hairs in the fleece of newborn lambs which are shed soon after birth and do not recur.

mother of millions

see bryophyllum.

mother-young relationship

the bond established between the newborn and the mother—a critical factor in maintaining high survival rates; a matter of great importance in enhancing lamb survival.

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mother Genetics The progenitor of a cell or cell line. Cf Daughter cell Vox populi The female parent. See Birth mother, Genetic mother, Gestational mother, Surrogate mother, Workingmother.