nurture
- To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.
- As a noun, the upbringing, education, or environment that shapes a person's development.
In a sentence
- She worked hard to nurture her students' curiosity and love of learning.
- The garden thrived because he took time each day to nurture the seedlings.
Usage note. Do not confuse 'nurture' with 'nature' in the 'nature vs. nurture' debate; nurture specifically refers to environmental and social influences, not innate traits.
Where it comes from
Middle English nurture — “upbringing, nourishment” · entered English 14th c.
From Old French 'norriture' meaning 'nourishment, upbringing,' derived from Late Latin 'nutritura,' from Latin 'nutrire' meaning 'to feed or nourish.' The word entered English in the 14th century, initially referring to physical nourishment before broadening to emotional and intellectual development.