n. Something that promotes growth or development; a nutrient.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. That which nourishes; a nutrient; anything which promotes growth and repairs the natural waste of animal or vegetable life; food; aliment.
n. That which promotes development or growth.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. That which nourishes; that which promotes the growth or repairs the natural waste of animal bodies, or which promotes the growth of vegetables; food; aliment; nourishment.
n. Figuratively, that which promotes development or improvement; pabulum.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a source of materials to nourish the body
Word Usage
"They to whom Heaven declares its purpose must merit its communication by mortifying the senses; they have that within which requires not the superfluity of earthly nutriment, which is necessary to those who are without the sphere of the Vision."