verb
nurse
To feed a baby with milk from the breast or feed at the breast.
The mother nurses her baby in a quiet room.
Etymology
The Latin source names a woman who nourishes, especially one who suckles a child. The verb preserves that feeding role in breastfeeding or taking milk at the breast.
More examples
- The cubs nursed until they fell asleep.
- She had nursed all three of her children.
- The infant is nursing well this morning.
Forms
nurse · nurses · nursed · nursing
nursing noun — Feeding an infant at the breast.
Similar words
- breastfeed
- Explicitly identifies feeding with milk from the breast.
- suckle
- Can describe either giving milk or feeding at the breast.