MATERNIT

1 definition found

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  MATERNITY. The state or condition of a mother.
       2. It is either legitimate or natural. The former is the condition of 
  the mother who has given birth to legitimate children, while the latter is 
  the condition of her who has given birth to illegitimate children. Maternity 
  is always certain, while the paternity (q.v.) is only presumed.