To nurse billiard balls, to strike them gently and so as to keep them
in good position during a series of caroms.
Nurse"hound` (?), n. (Zoöl.) See Houndfish.
Nurse"maid` (?), n. A girl employed to attend children.
Nurse"pond`, n. A pond where fish are fed. Walton.
Nurs"er (?), n. One who nurses; a nurse; one who cherishes or
encourages growth.
Nurs"er*y (?), n.; pl. Nurseries (#). [Cf. F. nourricerie.] 1. The act
of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind nursery." Shak.
2. The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or
apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A
place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the
purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place
where anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of
arts." Shak.
Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she
is the nursery of the church in heaven.
J. M. Mason.
(d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of
seamen.