present participle of mother

The nurturing of a child by its mother. / The protective behaviour of a mother towards her child. / Nurturing or protective behaviour reminiscent of that performed by a literal mother.

(obsolete) The practice of visiting one's literal or figurative mother or mother church (compare Mothering Sunday); also called mothering.

plural of mothering

A (human) female who has given birth to a baby; this person in relation to her child or children. / A human female who parents an adopted or fostered child.

(chiefly transitive) To give birth to or produce (as its female parent) a child. (Compare father.) / (transitive) To treat as a mother would be expected to treat her child; to nurture.

(euphemistic, mildly vulgar, slang) Motherfucker. / (euphemistic, colloquial) A striking example.

Alternative form of moth-er

(dated) One's mother. / A title given to a nun or a priestess.

(idiomatic, Britain) To pour out tea for others.