nourish
verbEtymology From Middle English norischen, from Old French nouriss-, stem of one of the conjugated forms of norrir, from Latin nutriō (“to suckle, feed, foster, nourish, cherish, preserve, support”).
7 senses
1
To feed and cause to grow; to supply with food or other matter which increases weight and promotes health.
- He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 44:14:
- other carnivorous Animals are difficultly nourished by Plants alone1623, Francis Bacon, Historia Vitae et Mortis:
2 more examples
- Children nourished exclusively upon this simple food will be found to enjoy more perfect health1872, Thomas Bull, The Maternal Management of Children, in Health and Diseases:
- we have ample evidence that male Bobolinks do not shirk the labor of nourishing their families. In a four-year study, Wittenberger (1980, 1982) found that males delivered about 60 Bobolink percent of the food.1996, Alexander Frank Skutch, Orioles, Blackbirds, and Their Kin: A Natural History:
2
To support; to maintain; to be responsible for.
- I in Ireland nourish a mighty band.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
3
To encourage; to foster; to stimulate
- to nourish civility
- to nourish a sense of self-worth
2 more examples
- When we slow down to pay attention to our own experience, we open ourselves to the love and richness that is here all the time. These are moments that can nourish your connection to your heart.2003, Marilyn Byfield Paul, It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys:
- I thanked the Fort Leavenworth military historian, Colonel von Schlemmer, for nourishing my first hope to memorialize the Buffalo Soldiers2010, Colin L. Powell, My American Journey:
4
To cherish; to comfort.
- Ye have nourished your hearts.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, James 5:5:
5
Of a person To educate or bring up; to nurture; to promote emotional, spiritual or other non-physical growth.
- Nourished up in the words of faith.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Timothy 4:6:
6
To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.
- This type of nourishes very well.
7
Obsolete To gain nourishment.
- a kingdom may have good limbs, but will have empty veins, and nourish little1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Empire”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC: