Main Entry:

nour·ish

Pronunciation:

\ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

Date:

14th century

1: nurture, rear2: to promote the growth of <no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion — L. O. Coxe>3 a: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed b: maintain, support <their profits…nourish other criminal activities — Beverly Smith>

— nour·ish·er noun