mamaw

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Probably an affectionate alteration of mama or reduplication of mother.

Noun

mamaw (plural mamaws)

  1. (Britain, dialectal, Scottish lowlands) One's mother.
  2. (US, dialectal, Southern US) One's grandmother, especially one's maternal grandmother.
  3. (US, dialectal, Southern US, less commonly) One's mother.

Usage notes

Ma Maw is Lowland Scots for "My Mother". Ma is used when addressing ones own Mother, Maw is used when addressing others of ones own or others mothers (aye yer maw, Glaswegian humour inferring disbelief with a hint of ridicule) Ma is also used to mean what is with you, what is beside you (inferring ownership) when using both together, Ma Maw translates to My Mother.

Synonyms

See also

Tagalog

Etymology

Cognate with Cebuano amaw (“stupid”).

Noun

mamaw

  1. monster
  2. (colloquial) a very talented or intelligent person
    Mamaw si Bryan, dahil marunong siya ng hindi kumulang sa limang wika.
    Bryan is brilliant, since he knows no less than five languages.

Adjective

mamaw

  1. ferocious; bestially cruel
    Synonym: halimaw
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