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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Origin: | nursh 'to nourish' (14-16 centuries), from nourish; influenced by NURSE1 |
Related topics:1
sick people
a) [transitive] to look after someone who is ill or injured : 
He's been nursing an elderly relative.
He's been nursing an elderly relative.b) [intransitive usually in progressive]MN to work as a nurse : She spent several years nursing in a military hospital.
She spent several years nursing in a military hospital.2 to rest when you have an illness or injury so that it will get better : Shaw has been nursing an injury, and will not play on Sunday.
rest
[transitive not in passive]Shaw has been nursing an injury, and will not play on Sunday.3
feed a baby
a) [intransitive and transitive]MB old-fashioned if a woman nurses a baby, she feeds it with milk from her breasts [= breastfeed]: information on nutrition for nursing mothers
information on nutrition for nursing mothersb) [intransitive] if a baby nurses, it sucks milk from its mother's breast
4 to keep a feeling or idea in your mind for a long time, especially an angry feeling
your feelings
[transitive not in passive] nurse a grudge/grievance/ambition etc For years he had nursed a grievance against his former employer.
For years he had nursed a grievance against his former employer.5 to take special care of something, especially during a difficult situation
take care of something
[transitive] nurse something through/along etc He bought the hotel in 1927 and managed to nurse it through the Depression.
He bought the hotel in 1927 and managed to nurse it through the Depression.6 if you nurse a drink, especially an alcoholic one, you drink it very slowly : Oliver sat at the bar, nursing a bottle of beer.
drink
[transitive] informalOliver sat at the bar, nursing a bottle of beer.7 to hold something carefully in your hands or arms close to your body : a child nursing a kitten
hold
[transitive] literarya child nursing a kitten
