/ ˈkʌltɪveɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to prepare and use land for growing plants or crops
SYN grow :
The land around here has never been cultivated.
2.
to grow plants or crops :
The people cultivate mainly rice and beans.
3.
(sometimes disapproving ) to try to get sb's friendship or support :
He purposely tried to cultivate good relations with the press.
It helps if you go out of your way to cultivate the local people.
4.
to develop an attitude, a way of talking or behaving, etc. :
She cultivated an air of sophistication.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin cultivat- prepared for crops, from the verb cultivare , from cultiva (terra) arable (land), from colere cultivate, inhabit.