v.
Pronunciation: ' n ə r-ish, ' n ə -rish
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips
Date: 14th century
1 : NURTURE , REAR
2 : to promote the growth of <no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion ― L. O. Coxe>
3 a : to furnish or sustain with nutriment : FEED b : MAINTAIN , SUPPORT <their profits ⋯ nourish other criminal activities ― Beverly Smith>
– nour · ish · er noun