Forums » ESL, Rules of English Grammar, Help and Games » ESL Vocabulary and Idioms » the baby's maternity

the baby's maternity
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Anonymous  #481953  Tue, 26 Feb 08 06:04 PM

Hi,

I can't find an appropriate definition of 'maternity' in the sentence. Could someone please tell me what it means here?
"The doctor trys to find a way to test the baby's maternity."

Thanks
  
Vorpar  #481977  Tue, 26 Feb 08 07:26 PM
That's a strange sentence. It seems to me that it means they are trying to find out who the mother is.
  
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Grammar Geek  #481987  Tue, 26 Feb 08 07:42 PM

That's exactly what I understand it to be. Perhaps the baby was abandoned. Or perhaps there is concerned that babies were switched, or it was kidnapped.
  
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Anonymous  #482292  Wed, 27 Feb 08 11:21 AM

Hi Vorpar and GG

Thank you for your answers to my question. I think you have given me  a correct one.
  
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