nurse

nurse [nʉrs]

n.

[ME norse < OFr norice < LL nutricia < L nutricius, that suckles or nourishes < nutrix (gen. nutricis), wet nurse < nutrire, to nourish < IE * (s)neu-, var. of base * (s)nā-, to flow > NATANT, Sans snāuti, (she) gives milk, Gr naein, to flow]

1. WET NURSE

2. a woman hired to take full care of another's young child or children; nursemaid

3. a person trained to take care of the sick, injured, or aged, to assist surgeons, etc.; specif., a registered nurse or a practical nurse

4. a person or thing that nourishes, fosters, protects, etc.

5. Zool. a worker bee or ant that cares for the young

vt.

nursed, nursing

1. to give milk from the breast to (an infant); suckle

2. to suck milk from the breast of

3. to take care of (a child or children)

4. to bring up; rear

5. to tend (the sick, injured, or aged)

6. to cause to continue, grow, or develop; nourish or foster [to nurse a grudge]

7. to treat, or try to cure [to nurse a cold]

8.

a) to use, operate, or handle cautiously or carefully, so as to avoid injury, pain, exhaustion, etc. [to nurse an injured leg]

b) to consume, spend, etc. slowly or carefully so as to conserve [to nurse a highball]

9. to clasp; hold carefully; fondle

10. Billiards to keep (the balls) close together for a series of caroms

vi.

1. to be suckled; feed at the breast

2. to suckle a child

3. to tend the sick, injured, etc. as a nurse

nurser

n.