fostern.1
/ˈfɒstə/, U.S. /ˈfɔstər/, /ˈfɑstər/ Obsolete except in combinations.Proverb.a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 60 Styntyng the cause, th' effect styntethe eke, No lenger forster, no lenger lemman.1670 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. 94 No longer foster no longer friend.
1. Food, nourishment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > [noun] > sustenance or nourishment
foodOE
fosterc1000
fodnethOE
flittinga1225
livenotha1225
nourishingc1300
sustenancec1300
livelihoodc1325
nurture1340
fosteringc1386
livingc1405
nouriturea1425
nutriment?a1425
nutrition?a1425
lifehood1440
reliefa1450
nourishmentc1450
nurshingc1450
sustentationc1450
nutrimentc1485
alimenta1500
sustainmenta1500
bielda1522
creature1540
suck1584
mantiniment1588
fosterment1593
the three M's1938
c1000 Saxon Leechd. II. 198 Sio is blodes timber, & blodes hus, & fostor.
c1230 Hali Meid. 15 Ure licomes lust is he feondes foster.
2. Guardianship, keeping, fostering. at foster, at nurse (with a foster-parent).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun]
lookingc1300
keepingc1380
charge1389
keepa1400
procuration?a1425
charchec1426
tuition1436
recommendation1483
fostera1500
sussy1513
carec1540
overlooking1565
regard1596
overview1598
accurance1677
protectiveness1847
protectingness1852
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > relationship to parent > [adverb] > fostered
at foster1861
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 424 Now shall thai haue rom, In pyk and tar euer dwelland; Of thare sorow no some, Bot ay to be yelland In oure fostre.
1861 G. W. Dasent tr. Story Burnt Njal II. 166 They had children out at foster there.
3.
a. Offspring, progeny.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > [noun] > progeny or offspring
bairn-teamc885
childeOE
tudderc897
seedOE
teamOE
wastum971
offspringOE
i-cundeOE
fostera1175
i-streonc1175
strainc1175
brooda1300
begetc1300
barm-teamc1315
issuea1325
progenyc1330
fruit of the loinsa1340
bowel1382
young onec1384
suita1387
engendrurea1400
fruitinga1400
geta1400
birth?a1425
porturec1425
progenityc1450
bodyfauntc1460
generation1477
fryc1480
enfantement1483
infantment1483
blood issue1535
propagation1536
offspring1548
race1549
family?1552
increase1552
breed1574
begetting1611
sperm1641
bed1832
fruitage1850
a1175 Cott. Hom. 225 Ic ȝegaderi in-to ðe of diercynne and of fuȝel cynne simle ȝemacan, þat hi eft to fostre bien.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 451 Ant ti semliche schape schaweð wel þæt tu art freo monne foster.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 257 For hit was þe forme-foster þat þe folde bred.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. xv. 86 Ne neuer, certis, the ground of the Romanis Of ony foster sall hym so avance.
b. One nourished or brought up; a foster-child, nursling.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > [noun] > foster-child
fosterlingc1000
foster-childa1200
fosterc1275
nurryc1330
nurse-child1562
alum1683
dalt1775
rearling1832
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12937 Eleine min aȝen uoster.
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. *iii Lo, heir the fructis, Nymphe, of thy foster faire.
c. An animal of one's own breeding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > stock or breed > animals kept for breeding > animal one has bred
foster1609
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 108 This..beast..is my leill, lawfull, and hamehalde cattell, or my inborne foister, the quhilk was thifteouslie stollen fra me.
Compounds
C1. General attributive foster-brother n., foster-sister n.; foster-child n., foster-son n., foster-father n., foster-mother n.
foster-home n.
ΚΠ
1886 Longman's Mag. 7 647 Foster-homes under the boarding-out system.
foster-milk n.
ΚΠ
1582 T. Bentley et al. Monument of Matrones iii. 272 Like a louing mother, and tender nursse, giving my foster~milke, the foode of thy word and Gospell, aboundantlie to all.
C2. † foster-mame n. Obsolete
foster-babe n.
ΚΠ
1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV lxxxix. 47 All thy foster-babes are dead.
foster-daughter n.
ΚΠ
1623 J. Webster Dutchesse of Malfy ii. ii. sig. D4 Goe, goe; giue your foster-daughters good councel.
foster-dam n.
ΚΠ
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 459 There, by the Wolf, were laid the Martial Twins..The foster Dam loll'd out her fawning Tongue.
ΚΠ
1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xii. sig. D1 Superstition (the foster mame of all error).
foster-parent n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > [noun] > foster-parent
fostera1000
fosterera1571
foster-parent1649
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar 37 That little love which is abated from the Foster-parents upon publick report that they are not natural.
1816 Gentleman's Mag. 86 i. 11 The Gentleman's Magazine being very justly considered as the foster-parent of English Topography.
foster-sire n.
ΚΠ
1878 M. A. Brown tr. J. L. Runeberg Nadeschda 16 Scarce had the beauteous maiden ceased When Miljutin, her kind foster sire..approached.
C3. In sense of ‘acting as a foster-mother or nurse’
foster-city n.
ΚΠ
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. iii. xviii. 343 All Etruria, and Campania, finally Italie, rose ioyntly in armes against the mother, and foster citie.
foster-earth n.
ΚΠ
1708 J. Philips Cyder i. 9 The nursling Grove Seems fair awhile, cherish'd with foster Earth.
Derivatives
ˈfostership n. = fosterage n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > relationship to parent > [noun] > condition of foster-child
fostership1861
fosterage1867
1861 ‘A. H. Clington’ Frank O'Donnell 110 The tie of fostership is, or at least was, held as sacred as that of natural brothers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
fostern.2
/ˈfɒstə/, U.S. /ˈfɔstər/, /ˈfɑstər/ Obsolete exc. archaic.
A foster-parent, nurse.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > [noun] > foster-parent
fostera1000
fosterera1571
foster-parent1649
a1000 Laws of Ine lxiii[i] Mot he habben..mid him..his cildfostran [v.r. -festran].
a1225 St. Marher. 8 Þu art foster ant feder to helplese children.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2624 Iakabeð wente bliðe a-gen, Ðat ghe ðe gildes [perh. read cildes] fostre muste ben.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2620 Sche forð ran And brogt hire a fostre-wimman.
1554 T. Becon Humble Supplicacion sig. Cvii Heretofore, we had suche shepehardes, as were tender fosters of thy flocke.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xv. iv The Greekes, whom wee may count the very fathers and fosters of all vices.
1640 R. Baillie Ladensium Αὐτοκατάκρισις Pref. sig. Bv Your sweet fosters the Bishops have brought the Pope upon you and your children.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 157 The Word is all Things to the Infant, a Father, a Mother, a Preceptor, a Foster.
1851 H. W. Longfellow Golden Legend ii. 81 This is the Black Pater-noster, God was my foster, He fostered me Under the book of the Palm-tree!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† fostern.3
Obsolete.
= forester n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > forester
woodyera1100
forester1297
fosterc1405
fostress?1553
sylvan1589
saltuary1674
woodsman1694
green jerkin1826
wood-farmer1831
sylviculturist1887
tree farmer1942
sylviculturalist1971
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 117 A Forster [v.r. foster] was he, soothly as I gesse.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 87 Flaundres..had no oþir gouernouris but þe fosteres of þe kyng of Frauns.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 1063 Then swere the fosters all twelue, They wolde no wedd but hym selfe.
15.. Adam Bel 561 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) II. 162 Forty fosters of the fe, These outlawes had y-slaw.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Bb7 A griesly foster forth did rush.
1597 J. Dowland 1st Bk. Songes sig. Lv And loue as well the foster can, As can the mighty Noble-man.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Gg3v/1 Some haue this graunt to them and their heires, and thereby are called Foristers or Fosters in fee.
Derivatives
ˈfostership n. the office of forester.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > forester > officer in charge of forest > office of
woodwardship1418
keepership1530
fostership1628
walkership1647
ridership1821
1628 E. Coke 1st Pt. Inst. Lawes Eng. 20 a The Office of a Fostership [was] intailed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
fosterv.
/ˈfɒstə/, U.S. /ˈfɔstər/, /ˈfɑstər/ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feed or nourish [verb (transitive)]
afeedeOE
foddereOE
feedc950
fosterc1175
fooda1225
nourishc1300
nurshc1325
nourishc1384
abechea1393
relievec1425
norrya1450
nurturea1450
pasturec1450
foisonc1485
bield1488
aliment1490
repast1494
nutrifya1500
repatera1522
battle1548
forage1552
nurse1591
substantiate1592
refeed1615
alumnate1656
focillate1656
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > promotion or help forward > promote or help forward (a person, plan, etc.) [verb (transitive)]
furtherc888
fremeOE
filsenc1175
fosterc1175
speeda1240
theec1250
advancec1300
upraisea1340
increasec1380
forthbearc1400
exploit?a1439
aid1502
to set forward(s)1530
farther1570
facilite1585
to set forthward1588
forward1598
facilitate1599
accommodate1611
succeed1613
bespeed1615
to set (a person) on (also upon) his (also her, etc.) legs1632
subserve1645
push1758
support1779
leg up1817
a1050 Liber Scintill. (1889) lxxxi. 222 Mann byþ festrud [L. nutritur] and byð gefedd.]
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1558 & iesu crist himm sellf shall ben Vpp o þatt bodiȝ hæfedd. To fedenn. & to fosstrenn hemn.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1434 Vnto this day, Haue ich ben fed and fostred ay.
c1386 G. Chaucer Manciple's Tale 71 Lat take a cat, and fostre him wel with milk, And tendre flesh.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 434 b/1 Wold to god I had mylke to foustre the wythal.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 111 One, bred of Almes, and foster'd with cold dishes.
1719 E. Young Busiris v. 66 The Infant of my Bosom! Whom I would foster with my vital Blood.]
a. To bring up (a child) with parental care; often, to bring up as a foster-child, be a foster-parent to. Also with forth, up. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > parenthood > [verb (transitive)] > act as parent to
fosterc1275
parent1663
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12926 Ich wes hire uoster-moder and feire heo uostredde [c1300 Otho bi-hedde].
1357 Lay Folks Catech. Fleshli fadir and modir That getes and fosters us forthe in this world.
c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 177 Thy yonge doughter fostred up so softe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3070 Here shal þou wiþ him wone & foster forþ here þi sone.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. vi Your wyf that as wel as her owne hath fostred me and kepte.
1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys ii. f. liiv Our fathers also whych whyle we lyued fostred vs vp so tenderly.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 153 So me say that Rauens foster forlorne children. View more context for this quotation
1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 34 Such children as were borne vnperfect..should not..be fostered vp.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 428 The son of Mulciber: Found in the Fire, and foster'd in the Plains.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > upbringing > [verb (transitive)] > in or on something
fosterc1386
inbreed1610
suckle1654
c1386 G. Chaucer Second Nun's Tale 122 This mayden..Was..from hir cradel fostred in the faith Of Crist.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. 378/1 Saynt cecillye..was fostrid and nourisshed in the feythe of cryste.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. viii. sig. T2v A Prince..fostred [1598 fostered vp] in bloud by his naughty Father.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 50 Fosterit, teachit, and brocht vp in continuall exercise.
c. with reference to fosterage n. 2. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > parenthood > [verb (transitive)] > put to foster care
fosterc1515
c1515 in State Papers Henry VIII (1834) II. 13 Some sayeth, that the Englyshe noble folke useith to delyver therre children to the Kynges Irysshe enymyes to foster.
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 48 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) These evill customes of fostering and marrying with the Irish, most carefully to be restrayned.
1775 S. Johnson Journey W. Islands 313 A Laird, a man of wealth and eminence, sends his child, either male or female, to a tacksman, or tenant, to be fostered.
1887 W. Stokes tr. Tripartite Life Patrick 141 He gave him to bishop Bron to be fostered.
d. to foster on (a lamb): to put it to a ewe, which is not its mother, to be nourished.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > sheep-farming > rear sheep or wool [verb (transitive)] > foster lamb
to foster on1816
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. 264 Sometimes it is necessary to..compel the ewes to admit the lambs, either their own or fostered on, to suck them. Note, To foster on a lamb, they tie the ewe, and at night compel her to give suck to the lamb two or three times.
e. transferred and figurative of a country, etc.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22102 Bethsaida and corozaim, þir tua cites sal foster him.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. v. sig. K/2 Euery mans countrie..which fed, fostered, adorned, & defended him.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 16 Such barbarus vsadge What soyle wyld fosters?
3. To ‘nurse’, tend with affectionate care; to ‘nurse’, cherish, keep warm (in the bosom).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > embrace > [verb (transitive)] > nurse or cherish (in the bosom)
fosterc1386
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > affectionately or tenderly
nourishc1300
cherish1340
fosterc1386
lapc1430
tender1449
nestle1548
nuzzlea1577
brood1618
incubate1641
nurslea1652
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 166 And in greet reverence and charitee Hir olde poore fader fostred she.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merch. T. 143 No man hateth his flesh, but in his lyf He fostreth it.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. v. 20 Mi sone, whi art thou disseyued of an alien womman; and art fostrid [L. foveris] in the bosum of an othere?
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) ci. 136 She had grete pyte of wymmen whiche were at theyre childbedde, and vysyted, and foustred them.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 330 I was so foolish, and inconsiderat as to foster vp as it were in my bosome this my domesticall and neglected enemie.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xii. 189 What a viper have I been fostering in my bosom!
1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in Lamia & Other Poems 11 But the God fostering her chilled hand, She felt the warmth.
4. To encourage or help to grow; to promote the growth of (a fire, plant, etc.). Also, with †forth, up. Now only with mixture of sense 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > make a fire > keep fire going
foster?c1225
stove1590
to keep in1659
to keep up1840
to keep on1891
the world > life > biology > biological processes > development, growth, or degeneration > [verb (transitive)] > develop > promote or hasten the growth of
foster1555
properate?1640
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 218 Þe sparke..lið & kecheð mare fur & fostreð forð & waxeð from lesse to Mare.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvii. 206 Wex and weyke and hote fyre togyderes Fostren forth a flaumbe.
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions i. i. 24 The moste pleasaunt plot of the earth, fostered to flourishe with the moisture of floudes on euery parte.
1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. K Westerne windes, do foster forth our floures.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey (1652) 133 They [the priests] shave their heads and foster their beards, contrary to the laity.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam viii. 10 A flower..Which once she foster'd up with care. View more context for this quotation
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. ix. 98 Fostered by the reverberation of solar heat from the rocks, we met a flower growth.
5. † b. To encourage, indulge in a habit, etc. Obsolete.
a. To encourage, cherish, harbour fondly, nurse (a feeling, etc.); to encourage, promote the development of; (of things, circumstances) to be favourable or conducive to. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > furtherance > further [verb (transitive)]
furtherc888
to bring onc1230
advancea1250
speeda1300
nourishc1300
avaunt1393
promotec1433
pasture?a1439
advantage?1459
promove1475
preferc1503
conduce1518
to set forth1528
to set forward(s)1530
to take forth1530
fillip1551
help1559
farther1570
foster1571
shoulder1577
to put forward1579
seconda1586
foment1596
hearten1598
to put on1604
fomentate1613
succeed1613
expeditea1618
producea1618
maturate1623
cultivate1641
encourage1677
push1693
forward1780
progress1780
admove1839
1571 G. Buchanan Admonitioun Trew Lordis sig. B.2v The Hammitounis as that tyme disapointit fosterit thair vane hoip.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. x. 166 The Arrians, the Anabaptists, the Familie of loue with all others of the like sort, fostered vp their errors in secret and darke corners.
1755 Monitor (1756) I. ii. 17 They always foster up a jealousy in the minds of the people.
1783 S. Johnson Let. 8 July (1994) IV. 172 Of Miss Hudson whom You charge me with forgetting, I know not why I should much foster the remembrance.
1785 E. Burke Speech Nabob Arcot's Debts in Wks. (1815) IV. 207 The system of concealment is fostered by a system of falsehood.
1809–10 S. T. Coleridge Friend (1865) 192 Rivalry between two nations..fosters all the virtues by which national security is maintained.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. vii. viii. 163 The enmities that are fostered between you and my grandfather.
1846 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 II. v. 216 Thus fostered, the insurrection was rapidly gaining head.
1868 J. E. T. Rogers Man. Polit. Econ. (1876) viii. 76 The genius of financiers was directed towards fostering exportation, checking importation.
1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. iii. 40 The superstitions which mountainous countries especially foster.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)]
shoveOE
to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154
favour1362
abetc1380
sustainc1390
supportc1405
courage1470
comfort1481
friend1550
through-bear1554
countenance1568
foster1569
favourize1585
seconda1586
sidea1601
rally1624
feed1626
countenance1654
encourage1668
inserve1683
to go strong on1822
partake1861
sponsor1884
to hold a brief for1888
root1889
rah-rah1940
affirm1970
babysit1973
barrack-
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 66 Rather to be brideled for his presumption, then to bee fostered and encouraged therin.
1633 W. Prynne Histrio-mastix i. vi. vi. 505 Stage-playes serve..to drawe men on by degrees to idlenesse, or to foster, to foment them in it.
Derivatives
ˈfostered adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > emotional attitude > [adjective] > held or entertained (of a feeling)
fostered1582
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > furtherance > [adjective] > furthered or developed
fostered1582
evolveda1641
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > relationship to parent > [adjective] > fostered
fostered1582
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 1 Iunoes long fostred deadlye reuengment.
1600 R. Armin Foole vpon Foole sig. F1v The Citty..placed him as a Fostered fatherlesse childe.
1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xxix. 95 Thou shalt be revil'd..even by the ffoster'd Child Of thy owne Charity.
1791 W. Combe Devil upon Two Sticks V. xvii. 48 The fostered habits of his mind.
Draft additions 1993
e. to foster out: to put (a child) into the care of foster parents. Cf. to board out at board v. 10.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > commit to care or custody of another
givea1000
beteachc1000
teachc1000
betake1297
trust1340
bekena1375
commenda1382
putc1390
recommanda1393
commitc1405
recommendc1405
resignc1425
allot1473
commise1474
commanda1500
consign1528
in charge (of)1548
credit1559
incommend1574
entrusta1586
aret1590
be-giftc1590
concredit1593
betrust1619
concrede1643
subcommit1681
to farm out1786
confide1861
fide1863
doorstep1945
to foster out1960
1960 F. G. Lennhoff Exceptional Children i. 25 Some [of the children] were adopted or fostered out and the relationship between child and adults has not developed into a healthy child–parent relationship.
1986 M. Forster Private Papers 4 Children from the Home were regularly adopted or fostered out.
1987 Daily Tel. 25 June 13/8 By the time they reached that decision couples had been broken up, bewildered and distressed children separated from siblings and fostered out.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c1000
n.2a1000
n.3c1405
v.c1175