foster1 (foster)

[ He es my fadire in faithe, for-sake salle I never! He has me fosterde and fedde, and my faire bretherene. Morte Arthure (E. E. T. S.), 1. 4144. Some say that ravens foster forlorn children. Shak., Tit. And., ii. 3. Bacchus and fostering Ceres, powers divine, Who gave us corn for mast, for water wine. Dryden, tr. of Virgil's Georgics, i. 2. To sustain by aid, care, or encouragement; give support to; cherish; promote: as, to fos ter the growth of tender plants; to foster an en terprise; to foster pride or genius. They [the priests] shave their heads and foster their beards, contrary to the laity. Sandys , Travailes, p. 133. Oft, 'mid some green plot of open ground, Wide as the oak extends its dewy gloom, The fostered hyacinths spread their purple bloom. Words worth, Eccles. Sonnets, i. 27. Benignly fostered by the good St. Nicholas, the infant city thrived apace. Irving, Knickerbocker, p. 140. = Syn. 2. Harbor, etc. (see cherish ); to indulge, favor, forward, advance, further, help on. II.t in trans. To be nourished or trained up together. Spenser .