Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NOURISH, v.t.

1. nur'ish, [Fr. nourrir; It. nutrire; Sp. and Port. nutrir; from L. mitrio. The G. niihren, Sw. nara, Dan. nesrer, to nourish, can not be the same word unless they have lost a dental, which may perhaps be the fact.]
2. 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.
3. To support; to maintain by feeding. Gen. xlvii. Whilst I in Ireland nourish a mighty band, I will stir up in England some black storm. Shak.
4. To supply the means of support and increase; to encourage; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues. What madness was it, with such proofs, to nourish their contentions! Hooker.
5. To cherish; to comfort. James v.
6. To educate; to instruct; to promote growth in attainments. 1 Tim. iv.