First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
nourish
verb nour·ish \ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish\
: to provide (someone or something) with food and other things that are needed to live, be healthy, etc.
: to cause (something) to develop or grow stronger
Full Definition of NOURISH
transitive verb
2
: to promote the growth of <no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion — L. O. Coxe>
3
a : to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed b : maintain, support <their profits…nourish other criminal activities — Beverly Smith>
— nour·ish·er noun
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Origin of NOURISH
Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips
Related to NOURISH
NOURISH Defined for Kids
nourish
verb nour·ish \ˈnər-ish\
nour·ishednour·ish·ing
Definition of NOURISH for Kids
: to cause to grow or live in a healthy state especially by providing with enough good food or nutrients
— nour·ish·ing adjective <a nourishing meal>
Medical Dictionary
nourish
transitive verb nour·ish \ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish\
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