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cultivate

[kuhl-tuh-veyt]

Origin

verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.

to use a cultivator on.

to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.

to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.

to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine: to cultivate a singing voice.

EXPAND

to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.

to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).

to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).

to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).

COLLAPSE

Origin:
1610–20; < Medieval Latin cultīvātus (past participle of cultīvāre to till), equivalent to cultīv(us) (Latin cult(us), past participle of colere to care for, till (compare cult) + -īvus -ive) + -ātus -ate¹

Related forms

o·ver·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

pre·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

re·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Cultivate is one of our favorite verbs.

So is skedaddle. Does it mean:

to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

to run away hurriedly; flee.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

cultivate (ˈkʌltɪˌveɪt)

—vb
1.	to till and prepare (land or soil) for the growth of crops
2.	to plant, tend, harvest, or improve (plants) by labour and skill
3.	to break up (land or soil) with a cultivator or hoe
4.	to improve or foster (the mind, body, etc) as by study, education, or labour
5.	to give special attention to: to cultivate a friendship; to cultivate a hobby
6.	to give or bring culture to (a person, society, etc); civilize

[C17: from Medieval Latin cultivāre to till, from Old French cultiver, from Medieval Latin cultīvus cultivable, from Latin cultus cultivated, from colere to till, toil over]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

cultivate

1620, from M.L. cultivatus, pp. of cultivare, from L.L. cultivus "tilled," from L. cultus (see cult). Figurative sense of "improve by training or education" is from 1680s.

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"The primary distinction of the artist is that he must actively cultivate that state which most men, necessarily, must avoid: the state of being alone."

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