Main Entry: ²nurse

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): nursed; nurs·ing

Etymology: Middle English nurshen to suckle, nourish, contraction of nurishen

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to nourish at the breast : suckle b : to take nourishment from the breast of
2 : rear, educate
3 a : to promote the development or progress of b : to manage with care or economy <nursed the business through hard times> <nursed a 1–0 lead> c : to take charge of and watch over
4 a : to care for and wait on (as a sick person) b : to attempt to cure by care and treatment
5 : to hold in one's memory or consideration <nurse a grievance>
6 a : to use, handle, or operate carefully so as to conserve energy or avoid injury or pain <nurse a sprained ankle> b : to use sparingly c : to consume slowly or over a long period <nurse a cup of coffee>intransitive verb 1 a : to feed an offspring from the breast b : to feed at the breast : suck
2 : to act or serve as a nurse

— nurs·er noun