(muth′ər) noun
1. A female parent.
2. That which has produced or given birth to anything.
3. An abbess or other nun of rank or dignity.
4. An elderly woman or matron: a familiar title.
—v.t.
1. To care for as a mother.
2. To bring forth as a mother; produce.
3. To admit or claim parentage, authorship, etc., of.
—adjective
1. Native: mother tongue.
2. Holding a maternal relation. [OE mōdor]

(muth′ər) noun
1. A slimy film composed of bacteria and yeast cells that forms on the surface of fermenting liquids and is active in the production of vinegar: also called mother–of–vinegar.
2. Dregs; lees.
—v.i. To become mothery, as vinegar. [Special use of MOTHER¹]
—moth′er·y adjective