nurse, norice, norse, nourse, nurce, nurice, nourrice, nourse

[O. Fr. norrice, nurrice (Fr. nourrice ), from Lat. nutricem, acc us. of nutrir a nurse, from nutrio =to feed, to nourish.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. One who nurses, tends, or takes care of the young, sick, or infirm; as, (1) A woman who suckles or tends to the child or children of another. "As a bad nurse which fayning to receive In her owne mouth the food ment for her chyld, Withholds it." Spenser: F. Q., V. v. 53. (2) A woman who tends the sick and infirm, especially in an infirmary or hospital. 2. One who or that which nurtures, fosters, cherishes, trains, protects, or promotes; a fosterer, a cherisher, a promoter. "Dear nurse of arts."-Shakesp.: Henry V., v. 2. 3. The state or condition of being nursed. "Can wedlock know so great a curse, As putting husbands out to nurse?" Cleveland: A Young Man to an Old Woman. II. Hort .: A plant, shrub, or tree which protects a young plant.