Nurse

/nɜrs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital.

The nurse attended to the patients in the ward.

A woman who suckles a child; a wet nurse.

In the past, many families hired a nurse to breastfeed their babies.

verb

To care for the health of someone, especially by tending to their medical needs.

She has dedicated her life to nurse the sick back to health.

To feed (an infant) at the breast.

She decided to nurse her baby exclusively for the first six months.

To foster or encourage growth or development.

He intends to nurse his startup idea until it is ready for launch.

Middle English 'nourice', from Old French 'nourrice', from Latin 'nutrix', meaning 'to nourish or nurse'.

nurse a grudge

To maintain resentment or bitterness toward someone.

nurse back to health

To care for someone until they recover.

nurse along

To assist or help someone or something to progress slowly.

nursing

The profession or practice of providing care for the sick.

nurture

To care for and encourage the growth of someone or something.

nourish

To provide with food or other substances necessary for growth.

Nurse in a bar or restaurant setting.

She's the nurse behind the bar, always ready to help with your drink.

To calm down or console someone.

He was feeling down, and his friends came by to nurse him back to happiness.