v.tr. 1 a prepare and use (soil etc.) for crops or gardening. b break up (the ground) with a cultivator. 2 a raise or produce (crops). b culture (bacteria etc.). 3 a (often as cultivated adj.) apply oneself to improving or developing (the mind, manners, etc.). b pay attention to or nurture (a person or a person's friendship). cultivable adj. cultivatable adj. cultivation n.
[ med.L cultivare f. cultiva (terra) arable (land) (as CULT) ]