<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or infirm.</li><li>a woman who has the general care of a child or children; dry nurse.</li><li>a woman employed to suckle an infant; wet nurse.</li><li>any fostering agency or influence.</li><li>a worker that attends the young in a colony of social insects.</li><li>the act of maintaining the position of billiard balls in preparation for a carom.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to tend or minister to in sickness, infirmity, etc.</li><li>to try to cure (an ailment) by taking care of oneself: to nurse a cold.</li><li>to look after carefully so as to promote growth, development, etc.; foster; cherish: to nurse one's meager talents.</li><li>to keep steadily in mind or memory: He nursed a grudge against me all the rest of his life.</li><li>to suckle (an infant).</li><li>to bring up, train, or nurture.</li><li>to clasp or handle carefully or fondly: to nurse a plate of food on one's lap.</li><li>to maintain the position of (billiard balls) for a series of caroms.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to suckle a child, especially one's own.</li><li>(of a child) to suckle: The child did not nurse after he was three months old.</li><li>to act as nurse; tend the sick or infirm.</li></ul>