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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Nour"ish, n.
A nurse.
[Obs.]
Hoolland.
© Webster 1913.