Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Cherish

Cher′ish

(chĕr′ĭsh)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Cherished
(chĕr′ĭsht)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Cherising
.]
[F.
chérir
, fr.
cher
dear, fr. L.
carus
. See
Caress
,
Finish
.]
1.
To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
We were gentle among you, even as a nurse
cherisheth
her children.
1 Thess. ii. 7.
2.
To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote;
as, to
cherish
religious principle
.
Syn. – To nourish; foster; nurse; nurture; entertain; encourage; comfort; protect; support; See
Nurture
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Cherish

CHERISH

,
Noun.
The prince of Mecca; a high priest among the Mohammedans.

CHERISH

, v.t.
1.
To treat with tenderness and affection; to give warmth, ease or comfort to.
We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. 2.
The damsel was fair and cherished the king. 1 Kings 1.
2.
To hold as dear; to embrace with affection; to foster, and encourage; as, to cherish the principles of virtue; to cherish religion in the heart.
3.
To treat in a manner to encourage growth, by protection, aid, attendance, or supplying nourishment; as, to cherish tender plants.
4.
To harbor; to indulge and encourage in the mind; as, to cherish ill will, or any evil passion.

Definition 2024


Cherish

Cherish

See also: cherish

English

Proper noun

Cherish

  1. A female given name

cherish

cherish

See also: Cherish

English

Verb

cherish (third-person singular simple present cherishes, present participle cherishing, simple past and past participle cherished)

  1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
    • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 12, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
      There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, […], and all these articles […] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.
  2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle.
  3. (obsolete) To cheer, gladden.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.vi:
      Her merry fit she freshly gan to reare, / And did of ioy and iollitie deuize, / Her selfe to cherish, and her guest to cheare [...].

Translations