Definition of Foster

1. Noun. United States songwriter whose songs embody the sentiment of the South before the American Civil War (1826-1864).


2. Verb. Promote the growth of. "Foster our children's well-being and education"
Exact synonyms: Further
Generic synonyms: Advance, Boost, Encourage, Further, Promote
Derivative terms: Fosterage, Fostering, Fostering, Furtherance

3. Adjective. Providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties. "Surrogate father"
Exact synonyms: Surrogate
Similar to: Adoptive

4. Verb. Bring up under fosterage; of children.
Generic synonyms: Bring Up, Nurture, Parent, Raise, Rear

5. Verb. Help develop, help grow. "Nurture his talents"
Exact synonyms: Nurture
Specialized synonyms: Keep Going, Patronage, Patronise, Patronize, Support, Serve, Serve Well
Generic synonyms: Encourage
Derivative terms: Fosterage, Fostering, Fostering, Nurture, Nurture

Definition of Foster

1. v. t. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.

2. v. i. To be nourished or trained up together.

3. a. Relating to nourishment; affording, receiving, or sharing nourishment or nurture; -- applied to father, mother, child, brother, etc., to indicate that the person so called stands in the relation of parent, child, brother, etc., as regards sustenance and nurture, but not by tie of blood.

4. n. A forester.

Definition of Foster

1. to promote the growth of [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Foster

1. Relating to nourishment; affording, receiving, or sharing nourishment or nurture; applied to father, mother, child, brother, etc, to indicate that the person so called stands in the relation of parent, child, brother, etc, as regards sustenance and nurture, but not by tie of blood. Foster babe, or child, an infant of child nursed by a woman not its mother, or bred by a man not its father. Foster brother, Foster sister, one who is, or has been, nursed at the same breast, or brought up by the same nurse as another, but is not of the same parentage. Foster dam, one who takes the place of a mother; a nurse. Foster earth, earth by which a plant is nourished, though not its native soil. Foster father, a man who takes the place of a father in caring for a child. Foster land. Land allotted for the maintenance of any one. One's adopted country. Foster lean [foster + AS. Laen a loan See Loan], remuneration fixed for the rearing of a foster child; also, the jointure of a wife. Foster mother, a woman who takes a mother's place in the nurture and care of a child; a nurse. Foster nurse, a nurse; a nourisher. Foster parent, a foster mother or foster father. Foster son, a male foster child. Origin: AS. Foster, fostor, nourishment. See Foster. 1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up. "Some say that ravens foster forlorn children." (Shak) 2. To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote; as, to foster genius. Origin: OE. Fostren, fr. AS. Foster, fostor, food, nourishment, fr. Foda food. 75. See Food. To be nourished or trained up together. A forester. One who, or that which, fosters. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Foster

fossorial
fossorial foot
fossorial mammal
fossorious
fossors
fossula
fossula
fossulae
fossulae tonsillares
fossulate
fossula fenestrae cochleae
fossula fenestrae vestibuli
fossula petrosa
fossula rotunda
foster (current term)
Foster
foster-brother
foster-child
foster-daughter
foster-father
foster-mother
foster-nurse
foster-parent
foster-sister
foster-son
fosterage
fosterage
fosterages
fostered
fosterer

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