noun
- any substance or matter that, taken into a living organism, serves to sustain it in its existence, promoting growth, replacing loss, and providing energy.
- anything that nourishes; nourishment; food.
noun
- any material providing nourishment
1540s, from Latin nutrimentum “nourishment; support,” from nutrire “to nourish, suckle, feed,” from PIE *nu-tri-, from root *(s)nau- “to swim, flow, let flow,” hence “to suckle” (cf. Sanskrit snauti “she drips, gives milk;” Greek nan “I flow”), extended form of root *sna- “to swim” (see natatorium).
n.
- A source of nourishment; food.
- An agent that promotes growth or development.