motherland
noun
- cultural origin
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈmʌðɚˌlænd/ / /ˈmʌð.ə.lænd/
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr Proto-Germanic *mōdēr Proto-West Germanic *mōder Old English mōdor Middle English moder English mother English land English motherland From mother + land.
- The country of one's ancestors.
- The country of one's birth.
- Country of origin.
- Mother country in contrast to its colonies.