maternal-factor
|ma-ter-nal-fac-tor|
🇺🇸
/məˈtɝnəl ˈfæktər/
🇬🇧
/məˈtɜːnəl ˈfæktə/
mother-provided influence/agent
Etymology
'maternal-factor' is a modern English compound formed from 'maternal' (relating to a mother) and 'factor' (an agent or cause).
'maternal' originates from Latin 'maternalis' (from 'mater' meaning 'mother'), which entered English via Old French/Latin medieval forms; 'factor' originates from Latin 'factor' (from 'facere' meaning 'to do or make') and entered English via Middle French/Latin. The compound usage as a scientific term arose in modern biomedical English (20th century onward).
Separately, 'maternal' has long meant 'of or relating to a mother,' while 'factor' originally meant 'doer' and later broadened to 'agent, cause, or component'; combined in modern usage the compound means 'an agent provided by the mother that influences an outcome,' especially in biological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in developmental biology, a molecule or substance (such as maternal mRNA, protein, or other cytoplasmic component) provided by the mother in the egg that controls or influences early embryonic development.
The maternal-factor present in the oocyte determines the pattern of early cell divisions.
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Noun 2
in epidemiology or public health, a characteristic, behavior, condition, or exposure of the mother that affects the health, development, or risk profile of her child (e.g., nutrition, smoking, infection).
Maternal-factor such as poor prenatal nutrition has been linked to increased risk of low birth weight.
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Noun 3
in obstetrics and clinical contexts, any maternal biological or medical factor (for example, uterine anatomy, placental function, chronic disease) that influences pregnancy outcome.
Clinicians evaluated several maternal-factors before deciding on the delivery plan.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 17:07