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cultivate

 - 4 dictionary results

cul⋅ti⋅vate

[kuhl-tuh-veyt]
–verb (used with object), -vat⋅ed, -vat⋅ing.
1. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
2. to use a cultivator on.
3. to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.
4. to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.
5. to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine: to cultivate a singing voice.
6. to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
7. to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).
8. to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).
9. to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).

Origin:
1610–20; < ML cultīvātus (ptp. of cultīvāre to till), equiv. to cultīv(us) (L cult(us), ptp. of colere to care for, till (cf. cult ) + -īvus -ive ) + -ātus -ate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cultivate
cul·ti·vate   (kŭl'tə-vāt')   
tr.v.   cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing, cul·ti·vates
    1. To improve and prepare (land), as by plowing or fertilizing, for raising crops; till.

    2. To loosen or dig soil around (growing plants).

  1. To grow or tend (a plant or crop).

  2. To promote the growth of (a biological culture).

  3. To nurture; foster. See Synonyms at nurture.

  4. To form and refine, as by education.

  5. To seek the acquaintance or goodwill of; make friends with.


[Medieval Latin cultīvāre, cultīvāt-, from cultīvus, tilled, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere, to till; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
cul'ti·vat'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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 1681.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cul·ti·vate
Pronunciation: 'k&l-t&-"vAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -vat·ed; -vat·ing
: CULTURE 1 cultivated in brain tissue>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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