I. ˈnərchər, ˈnə̄chə(r, ˈnəichə(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English nurture, norture, from Middle French norriture, norreture, from Late Latin nutritura act of nursing or suckling, from Latin nutritus (past participle of nutrire to suckle, nourish) + -ura -ure — more at nourish
1.
a. : the breeding, education, or training that one receives or possesses : upbringing
the poverty she lived in was utterly unbefitting her gentle nurture — George Meredith
b. obsolete : moral training
2. : something that nourishes : food
fed him well and nourished himself and took nurture for the road — R.D.Blackmore
3. : the process of bringing up : tutelage
the best moral atmosphere for the nurture of creative scientists — Weston La Barre
4. : the sum of the influences modifying the expression of the genetic potentialities of an organism — compare nature
II. transitive verb
( nurtured ; nurtured ; nurturing -ch(ə)riŋ ; nurtures )
Etymology: Middle English nurturen, norturen, from nurture, norture, n.
1. : to supply with food, nourishment, and protection
was not nurtured by the best of mothers — O.W.Holmes †1894
2.
a. : to train by or as if by instruction : educate
will ask for the financial support of the alumni whom they have nurtured — C.M.Fuess
b. obsolete : to give moral training to : discipline
3. : to further the development of : promote the growth of : foster
nurture your mind with great thoughts — Benjamin Disraeli
Synonyms: see nurse