\Moth"er*ly\, a. [AS. m[=o]dorlic.]
Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a
mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or
care. --Hooker.
Syn: Maternal; paternal.
Usage: {Motherly}, {Maternal}. Motherly, being Anglo-Saxon,
       is the most familiar word of the two when both have
       the same meaning. Besides this, maternal is confined
       to the feelings of a mother toward her own children,
       whereas motherly has a secondary sense, denoting a
       care like that of a mother for her offspring. There
       is, perhaps, a growing tendency thus to separate the
       two, confining motherly to the latter signification.
       ``They termed her the great mother, for her motherly
       care in cherishing her brethren whilst young.'' --Sir
       W. Raleigh.

\Moth"er*ly\, adv.
In a manner of a mother.