Definition of nourish

< noun phrase

nourishment >

nour·ish    (nûrsh, nr-) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
nour·ished, nour·ish·ing, nour·ish·es

1. To provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth; feed.
2. To foster the development of; promote: "Athens was an imperial city, nourished by the tribute of subjects" (V. Gordon Childe).
3. To keep alive; maintain: nourish a hope.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English norishen, from Old French norrir, norriss-, from Vulgar Latin *nutrre, from Latin ntrre; see (s)nu- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
nourish·er(Noun)