ˈkəltəˌvāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from Old French cultiver, coutiver, from culti, couti cultivable, from Medieval Latin cultivus, from Latin cultus (past participle of colere to till, cultivate, dwell, inhabit) + -ivus -ive — more at wheel
1. : to prepare for the raising of crops : prepare and use for such a purpose : till
cultivate the soil
specifically : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing crops or plants) for the purpose of killing weeds and modifying moisture retention of the soil especially with a cultivator
2. : to protect and encourage the growth of:
a. : to till or labor over ; especially : to apply methods of culturing to
cultivate oysters
cultivate yeasts
b. : to improve by labor, care, or study : bring to culture, civilization, or refinement
writers who cultivate style
3. : to cause to grow by special attention or by studying, advancing, developing, practicing, or publicizing : further , encourage
Italy, where law and medicine were cultivated, and the North, where theology with logic and metaphysics were supreme — H.O.Taylor
4. : to seek the society of : make friends with
outraged constantly by the odd assortment of people my father cultivated — Elsa Maxwell
Synonyms: see nurse