I.“nutribat for nutriebat,” Verg. A. 11, 572; Sil. 16, 29; so, “nutribant,” Verg. A. 7, 485: nutribo for nutriam, Rhemn. Palaem. 1383; Cledon. 1914.—In the dep. form, nutritor for nutrito, Verg. G. 2, 425; cf. Prisc. p. 798 P.), 4, v. a. Sanscr. root snu-, flow; Gr. νέω (σνεϝω), swim; cf. nurus, to suckle, nourish, feed, foster, bring up, rear (syn. alere; not in Cic., but v. nutrix and nutrimentum).
I. Lit.: “quos lupa nutrit,” Ov. F. 2, 415: “nutritus lacte ferino,” id. Tr. 3, 11, 3: “ilignā nutritus glande,” Hor. S. 2, 4, 40: “balaenae mammis nutriunt fetus,” Plin. 11, 40, 95, § 235: “serpente ciconia pullos Nutrit,” Juv. 14, 75: taurus nutritus in herbā, id. 12, 12.—
B. Transf., to nourish, support, maintain, foster.—Of plants: “terra herbas Nutrit,” Ov. R. Am. 45: “myrtos roscido umore nutrire,” Cat. 61, 25: “nutriri cinere vult ruta,” Plin. 19, 8, 45, § 156: “fruges humo nutriente,” Curt. 8, 10, 8; Petr. 120: “Pax Cererem nutrit,” Ov. F. 1, 704.— Poet.: “Edonis nutritum missile ventis,” a shaft taken from a tree toughened by storms, Val. Fl. 6, 340.—
2. To nourish, nurse, take care of, attend to the body: “cura corporum nutriendorum,” Liv. 4, 52: “aegrum nutrire per eos cibos, quos, etc.,” Cels. 3, 23: “vires,” id. ib.: “ulcus,” to heal, id. 5, 26: “damnum naturae in filio,” Liv. 7, 4: “morbos,” Cels. 6, 6: “capillum,” Plin. 22, 22, 39, § 82: comam, Hier. in Amos, 8, 9 sq.; Vulg. 1 Cor. 11, 14 sq.: “cutem, mulierum in facie incorruptam,” Plin. 21, 21, 91, § 159.—
3. Nutrire vinum, to mix wine with spices, in order that it may keep, Col. 12, 30, 1: “nutritum vinum,” id. 12, 21, 3.—
4. In gen., to preserve: “nutriuntur optime (mensae citreae) splendescuntque, manu siccā fricatae,” Plin. 13, 15, 30, § 99.—
II. Trop., to nourish, cherish, support, cultivate, sustain: “indoles Nutrita faustis sub penetralibus,” Hor. C. 4, 4, 25: “amorem,” Ov. A. A. 3, 579: “pascere ac nutrire furorem (al. favorem),” Sil. 7, 497: “impetus ille sacer qui vatum pectora nutrit,” Ov. P. 4, 2, 25: “carmen,” id. ib. 3, 4, 26: “artes bonas, praecipue studia litterarum,” Aur. Vict. Epit. 41, 14: “nummi, quos hic quincunce modesto nutrieras,” Pers. 5, 149: “Graeciam,” i. e. to treat mildly, Liv. 36, 35.—Of fire, to feed: “gnes suscitat foliisque nutrit,” Ov. M. 8, 643; 6, 493: “graves simultates, quas Mucianus callide nutriebat,” Tac. H. 3, 53 fin.: “nimiam ac marcentem diu pacem,” id. G. 36.