nourish

[ nur-ish, nuhr- ]
/ ˈnɜr ɪʃ, ˈnʌr- /

verb (used with object)

to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.
to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc.: He had long nourished the dream of living abroad.
to strengthen, build up, or promote: to nourish discontent among the workers; to nourish the arts in one's community.

Origin of nourish

1250–1300; Middle English norisshe < Old French noriss-, long stem of norir < Latin nūtrīre to feed; see nurse, -ish2

SYNONYMS FOR nourish

1 See nurse.
3 encourage, help, aid, back, advance.

OTHER WORDS FROM nourish

Example sentences from the Web for nourish

British Dictionary definitions for nourish

nourish
/ (ˈnʌrɪʃ) /

verb (tr)

to provide with the materials necessary for life and growth
to support or encourage (an idea, feeling, etc); foster to nourish resentment

Derived forms of nourish

nourisher, noun nourishing, adjective nourishingly, adverb

Word Origin for nourish

C14: from Old French norir, from Latin nūtrīre to feed, care for

Medical definitions for nourish

nourish
[ nûrĭsh ]

v.

To provide with food or other substances necessary for sustaining life and growth.