Nour"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nourished (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nourishing.] [OE. norisen, norischen, OF.
nurir, nurrir, norir, F. norrir, fr. L.
nutrire. Cf. Nurse, Nutriment, and see -
ish.]
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." Hooker.
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.
Chaucer.
Nourished up in the words of
faith.
1 Tim. iv. 6.
Syn. -- To cherish; feed; supply. See Nurture.
Nour"ish, v. i. 1.
To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.
Grains and roots nourish more than their
leaves.
Bacon.
2. To gain nourishment. [R.]
Bacon.
Nour"ish, n. A nurse. [Obs.]
Hoolland.
