Webster's English Dictionary

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nurse

1. nurse \'n*rs\ n [ME, fr. OF nurice, fr. LL nutricia, fr. L, fem. of 
   nutricius] nourishing - more at NUTRITIOUS 1a: a woman who suckles an 
   infant not her own  1b: a woman who takes care of a young child  2: one 
   that fosters or advises : INFLUENCE  3: one skilled or trained in caring 
   for the sick or infirm esp. under the s upervision of a physician 4a: a 
   worker of a social insect that cares for the young  4b: a female mammal 
   used to suckle the young of another 
2. nurse vb [ME nurshen to nourish, contr. of nurishen] 1a: to nourish at 
   the breast : SUCKLE  1b: to take nourishment from the breast of  2: REAR, 
   EDUCATE  3a: to promote the development or progress of  3b: to manage with 
   care or economy  3c: to take charge of and watch over  4a: to care for and 
   wait on (as a sick person)  4b: to attempt to cure by care and treatment  
   5: to hold in one's memory or consideration  6a: to use, handle, or operate 
   carefully so as to conserve energy or avoid  injury or pain 6b: to use 
   sparingly  1a: to give suck  1b: to feed at the breast : SUCK  2: to act or 
   serve as a nurse  - nurs.er n