nurse

I. noun Etymology: Middle English norice, norce, nurse, from Anglo-French nurice, from Late Latin nutricia, from Latin, feminine of nutricius nourishing — more at nutritious Date: 13th century 1. a. a woman who suckles an infant not her own ; wet nurse b. a woman who takes care of a young child ; dry nurse 2. one that looks after, fosters, or advises 3. a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health — compare licensed practical nurse, registered nurse 4. a. a worker form of a social insect (as an ant or a bee) that cares for the young b. a female mammal used to suckle the young of another II. verb (nursed; nursing) Etymology: Middle English nurshen to suckle, nourish, contraction of nurishen Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to nourish at the breast ; suckle b. to take nourishment from the breast of 2. rear, educate 3. a. to promote the development or progress of b. to manage with care or economy <

nursed the business through hard times

> <

nursed a 1-0 lead

> c. to take charge of and watch over 4. a. to care for and wait on (as a sick person) b. to attempt to cure by care and treatment 5. to hold in one's memory or consideration <

nurse a grievance

> 6. a. to use, handle, or operate carefully so as to conserve energy or avoid injury or pain <

nurse a sprained ankle

> b. to use sparingly c. to consume slowly or over a long period <

nurse a cup of coffee

> intransitive verb 1. a. to feed an offspring from the breast b. to feed at the breast ; suck 2. to act or serve as a nurse • nurser noun