/nerr"seuh ree/ , n. , pl. nurseries .
1. a room or place set apart for young children.
2. a nursery school or day nursery.
3. a place where young trees or other plants are raised for transplanting, for sale, or for experimental study.
4. any place in which something is bred, nourished, or fostered: The art institute has been the nursery of much great painting.
5. any situation, condition, circumstance, practice, etc., serving to breed or foster something: Slums are nurseries for young criminals.
[ 1350-1400; ME norcery. See NURSE, -ERY ]