| nourish | 1. To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment. "He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it." (Is. Xliv. 14) 2. To support; to maintain. "Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band." (Shak) 3. To supply the means of support and increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues. "Nourish their contentions." 4. To cherish; to comfort. "Ye have nourished your hearts." (James v. 5) 5. To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments. "Nourished up in the words of faith." (1 Tim. Iv. 6) Synonym: To cherish, feed, supply. See Nurture. Origin: OE. Norisen, norischen, OF. Nurir, nurrir, norir, F. Norrir, fr. L. Nutrire. Cf. Nurse, Nutriment, and see -ish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| nourishment | A substance used to feed or to sustain life and growth of an organism. Synonym: aliment. (05 Mar 2000) |