ˈnərs(ə)rē, ˈnə̄s-, ˈnəis-, -ri noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English norserie, from norse nurse + -erie -ery
1. obsolete : attentive care : fosterage
thought to set my rest on her kind nursery — Shakespeare
2. : a place designed for the care or training of children:
a. : a child's bedroom
b. : a room or apartment in a house set aside for the use of children
c. : a room or place in a public building (as a church) where children are temporarily cared for in their parents' absence by trained attendants
d. : day nursery
e. : nursery school
3.
a. : something that fosters, develops, or promotes
the inland seas became the first nurseries of seamanship and commerce — W.G.East
an equal claim to be noticed as a nursery of the arts — Times Literary Supplement
b. : a place in which persons are trained or educated
the chancery became a nursery of clever and unscrupulous churchmen — E.A.Freeman
France at this time … was a nursery for good surgeons — Harvey Graham
4. : an area where trees, shrubs, or plants are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale
5. : a place where young animals are cared for: as
a. : a pond, trough, or box in which young fish are kept until the yolk sac is absorbed
b. : brooder 2a
6. : a handicap horse race for 2-year-olds