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Added 9 October 2026

nurse

/nɜːs/ noun

In Latin: infirmarius Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about nurse at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A person involved in providing direct care for the sick: Anyone performing this role, regardless of training or profession.
My aunt was my nurse while I recuperated at home from surgery.
Anyone performing this role, regardless of training or profession.
My aunt was my nurse while I recuperated at home from surgery.
A medical worker performing this role, typically someone trained to provide such care but having credentials and rank below a doctor or physician assistant.
The nurse made her rounds through the hospital ward.

verb

To breastfeed: to feed (a baby) at the breast; to suckle.
She believes that nursing her baby will make him strong and healthy.
To breastfeed: to be fed at the breast.
To care for (someone), especially in sickness; to tend to.
She nursed him back to health.

noun

A nurse shark or dogfish.

Origin

From Middle English norice, from Old French norrice, from Late Latin nūtrīcia, noun based on Latin nūtrīcius (“that which nourishes”), from nūtrīx (“wet nurse”), from nūtriō (“to suckle”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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