Nourish \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)