I. ˈn(y)ü.trēənt adjective
Etymology: Latin nutrient-, nutriens, present participle of nutrire to nourish — more at nourish
: furnishing nourishment : promoting growth : nutritious
feed avidly on water hyacinths, but they do not make good fodder and are not nutrient — Thomas Barbour
magnesium is the nutrient element in plant growth — Market Growers Journal
II. noun
( -s )
: a nutritious substance or component ; especially : a chemical element or inorganic compound (as a nitrate) taken in by a green plant and used in organic synthesis