See Also: cultivate(dictionary)
cultivate(dictionary)

cultivate (iou)



cultivate verb trans. M17.
[medieval Latin cultivat- pa. ppl stem of cultivare (cf. Old & mod. French cultiver), from cultivus in cultiva terra arable land (cf. Old French terres cultives), from Latin cult- pa. ppl stem of colere: see CULT, -IVE, -ATE3.]
I. lit.
Prepare and use (soil) for crops; bring (land) into a state of cultivation. M17.
b. Break up (ground) with a cultivator. M19.
Give attention to (a plant) to promote growth, improve fertility, etc.; produce or raise by agriculture or horticulture. L17.
C. Priest The previous owners had cultivated fruit and vegetables, but everything was now overgrown.
b. = CULTURE verb 2. L19.
II. fig.
Promote the growth of, devote oneself to the development of, (an art, sentiment, faculty, etc.); foster. M17.
A. S. Neill I try hard to cultivate their sense of humour and their imagination.
spec. Foster (another person's friendship, good opinion, etc.) in relation to oneself. L17.
S. Richardson He was more solicitous to cultivate her mamma's good opinion, than hers.
b. Pay attention to (a person); seek to win the favour or friendship of; court. E18.
D. L. Sayers Bunter has been cultivating Hannah Westlock almost to breach of promise point.
Improve and develop (a person, his or her mind, manners, etc.) by education or training. Freq. as cultivated ppl adjective. L17.
Pay attention to, practise, cherish, (a sentiment, skill, pursuit, etc.), esp. with the object of acquiring it or improving oneself in it. M18.
J. Buchan That air of brisk competence which shy women often cultivate in self-defence.
Phrases: cultivate one's garden fig. attend to one's own affairs.
cultivata'bility noun (rare) the quality of being cultivable L19.
cultivatable adjective cultivable M19.