nourish

NOURISH, verb transitive [G. to nourish cannot be the same word unless they have lost a dental, which may perhaps be the fact.] 1. To feed and cause to grow; to supply a living or organized body, animal or vegetable, with matter which increases its bulk or supplies the waste occasioned by any of its functions; to supply with nutriment. 2. To support; to maintain by feeding. Genesis 47:12. Whilst I in Ireland nourish a mighty band, I will stir up in England some black storm. 3. To supply the means of support and increase; to encourage; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues. What madness was ti, with such proofs, to nourish their contentions! 4. To cherish; to comfort. James 5:5. 5. To educate; to instruct; to promote growth in attainments. 1 Timothy 4:6. NOURISH, verb intransitive 1. To promote growth. Grains and roots nourish more then leaves. [Elliptical.] 2. To gain nourishment. [Unusual.]