Nursery \Nurs"er*y\, n.; pl. Nurseries. [Cf. F. nourricerie.]

1. The act of nursing. [Obs.]

``Her kind nursery.'' --Shak.

2. The place where nursing is carried on; as:
   (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children.
   (b) A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees.
   (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. ``Fair Padua, nursery of arts.'' --Shak.

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven. --J. M. Mason.
   (d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen.

3. That which is nursed. [R.]

--Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)