verb (used with object), nur·tured, nur·tur·ing.
- to feed and protect: to nurture one’s offspring.
- to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.
- to bring up; train; educate.
noun
- rearing, upbringing, training, education, or the like.
- development: the nurture of young artists.
- something that nourishes; nourishment; food.
noun
- the act or process of promoting the development, etc, of a child
- something that nourishes
- biology the environmental factors that partly determine the structure of an organismSee also nature (def. 12)
verb (tr)
- to feed or support
- to educate or train
c.1300, “breeding, upbringing,” from Old French norture, nourreture “food, nourishment; education, training,” from Late Latin nutritia (see nursery).
“to feed or nourish,” early 15c., from nurture (n.). Related: Nurtured; nurturing.