maternal vs. fraternal

maternal

adjective

  1. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother:

    maternal instincts.

  2. related through a mother:

    his maternal aunt.

  3. derived from a mother:

    maternal genes.

fraternal

adjective

  1. of or befitting a brother or brothers; brotherly.
  2. of or being a society of men associated in brotherly union, as for mutual aid or benefit:

    a fraternal order; a fraternal association.