wet-nurse
[ wet-nurs ]
/ ˈwɛtˌnɜrs /
verb (used with object), wet-nursed, wet-nurs·ing.
to act as a wet nurse to (an infant).
to give excessive care or attention to; treat as if helpless: The warden is accused of wet-nursing his prisoners.
Origin of wet-nurse
First recorded in 1775–85
Words nearby wet-nurse
Definition for wet-nurse (2 of 2)
wet nurse
noun
a woman hired to suckle another's infant.
Origin of wet nurse
First recorded in 1610–20
Example sentences from the Web for wet-nurse
British Dictionary definitions for wet-nurse
wet nurse
noun
a woman hired to suckle the child of another
verb wet-nurse (tr)
to act as a wet nurse to (a child)
informal
to attend with great devotion
Medical definitions for wet-nurse
wet nurse
n.
A woman employed to breast-feed a child that is not her own.