to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.
3.
to bring up; train; educate.
–noun
4.
rearing, upbringing, training, education, or the like.
5.
development: the nurture of young artists.
6.
something that nourishes; nourishment; food.
[Origin: 1300–50; (n.) ME norture < MF, var. of nourriture < LL nūtrītūra a nourishing, equiv. to L nūtrīt(us) (ptp. of nūtrīre to feed, nourish) + -ūra-ure; (v.) deriv. of the n.]
Biology The sum of environmental influences and conditions acting on an organism.
tr.v.
nur·tured, nur·tur·ing, nur·tures
To nourish; feed.
To educate; train.
To help grow or develop; cultivate: nurture a student's talent.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin nūtrītūra, act of suckling, from Latin nūtrītus, past participle of nūtrīre, to suckle; see (s)nāu- in Indo-European roots.]
nur'tur·er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to promote and sustain the growth and development of: nurturing hopes; cultivating tolerance; foster friendly relations; nursed the fledgling business.
c.1330 (n.), "breeding, upbringing," from O.Fr. nourriture "nourishment," from L.L. nutritia (see nursery). The verb meaning "to feed or nourish" is attested from c.1430.
Cher"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cherished; p. pr. & vb. n. Cherising.] [F. ch['e]rir, fr. cher dear, fr. L. carus. See Caress, Finish.]1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid. We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. --1 Thess. ii. 7. 2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle. To cherish virtue and humanity. --Burke. Syn: To nourish; foster; nurse; nurture; entertain; encourage; comfort; protect; support; See Nurture.
Nour"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nourished; p. pr. & vb. n. Nourishing.] [OE. norisen, norischen, OF. nurir, nurrir, norir, F. norrir, fr. L. nutrire. Cf. Nurse, Nutriment, and see -ish.]1. To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment. He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. --Is. xliv. 14. 2. To support; to maintain. Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band. --Shak. 3. To supply the means of support and increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues. "Nourish their contentions." --Hooker. 4. To cherish; to comfort. Ye have nourished your hearts. --James v. 5. 5. To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments. --Chaucer. Nourished up in the words of faith. --1 Tim. iv. 6. Syn: To cherish; feed; supply. See Nurture.
Nur"ture\, n. [OE. norture, noriture, OF. norriture, norreture, F. nourriture, fr. L. nutritura a nursing, suckling. See Nourish.]1. The act of nourishing or nursing; thender care; education; training. A man neither by nature nor by nurture wise. --Milton. 2. That which nourishes; food; diet. --Spenser.
Nur"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurtured; p. pr. & vb. n. Nurturing.]1. To feed; to nourish. 2. To educate; to bring or train up. He was nurtured where he had been born. --Sir H. Wotton. Syn: To nourish; nurse; cherish; bring up; educate; tend. Usage: To Nurture, Nourish, Cherish. Nourish denotes to supply with food, or cause to grow; as, to nourish a plant, to nourish rebellion. To nurture is to train up with a fostering care, like that of a mother; as, to nurture into strength; to nurture in sound principles. To cherish is to hold and treat as dear; as, to cherish hopes or affections.
Nur"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurtured; p. pr. & vb. n. Nurturing.]1. To feed; to nourish. 2. To educate; to bring or train up. He was nurtured where he had been born. --Sir H. Wotton. Syn: To nourish; nurse; cherish; bring up; educate; tend. Usage: To Nurture, Nourish, Cherish. Nourish denotes to supply with food, or cause to grow; as, to nourish a plant, to nourish rebellion. To nurture is to train up with a fostering care, like that of a mother; as, to nurture into strength; to nurture in sound principles. To cherish is to hold and treat as dear; as, to cherish hopes or affections.
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