nurse

²nurse

verb

nursednurs·ing

Definition of NURSE

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

Examples of NURSE

1. She is nursing her son through his illness.
2. The couple nursed the business through hard times.
3. He nursed the farm back to productivity.
4. The team nursed a 1–0 lead until the last inning.
5. The dog nursed her puppies.
6. The baby nursed for several months.
7. The puppies nursed for eight weeks.

Origin of NURSE

Middle English nurshen to suckle, nourish, contraction of nurishen

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NURSE

Synonyms: administer (to), care (for), minister (to), mother, do for [chiefly British], look after, look out for, look to, see to, take care of, wait on (also wait upon)

Antonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, manhandle, mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words: cure, heal, remedy; doctor, treat; aid, conserve, preserve, provide (for), support; baby, coddle, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil; cater (to), humor; indulge

Near Antonyms: brush (aside or off), forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, slight

see all synonyms and antonyms

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