nurse
2nurse
verbnursednurs·ing
Definition of NURSE
transitive verb
1
a : to nourish at the breast : suckle b : to take nourishment from the breast of
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
- She is nursing her son through his illness.
- The couple nursed the business through hard times.
- He nursed the farm back to productivity.
- The team nursed a 1–0 lead until the last inning.
- The dog nursed her puppies.
- The baby nursed for several months.
- 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)
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