■ noun
1》 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
↘a refined understanding or appreciation of this.
2》 the customs, ideas, and social behaviour of a particular people or group.
3》 Biology the cultivation of bacteria, tissue cells, etc. in an artificial medium containing nutrients.
↘a preparation of cells obtained in such a way.
4》 the cultivation of plants.
↘[in combination ] denoting cultivation or husbandry: avi~.
■ verb Biology maintain (tissue cells, bacteria, etc.) in conditions suitable for growth.
Origin
C17 (denoting a cultivated piece of land): the noun from Fr. ~ or directly from L. cultura 'growing, cultivation'; the verb from obs. Fr. ~r or med. L. culturare , both based on L. colere (see cultivate ).