nurse
nurse
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown for "nurse"
/nɜːrs/
nɜːrs:
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
/ɜː/ - open-mid central unrounded vowel (long)
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: nurse
Plural: nurses
Verb:
Base form: nurse
Third-person singular present: nurses
Present participle: nursing
Past tense: nursed
Past participle: nursed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A highly trained healthcare professional who provides medical care and support to patients, often working under the supervision of a doctor, with a focus on holistic well-being and compassionate care.
Synonyms: caregiver, medical assistant, healthcare provider, practitioner
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "patient" in a very specific context, but not a true opposite)
A person, typically a woman, employed to care for young children, especially infants, in a private household.
Synonyms: nanny, childminder, governess, au pair
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
To provide medical care, attention, and support to someone who is ill, injured, or recovering, often with a focus on comforting and aiding their recovery.
Example: She nursed her sick grandmother back to health.
Synonyms: tend, care for, minister to, look after, attend to
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, harm, injure
To hold and feed an infant at the breast (for a mother or wet nurse) or with a bottle (for any caregiver).
Example: The mother nursed her baby quietly in the armchair.
Synonyms: breastfeed, suckle, feed, bottle-feed
Antonyms: wean (in a specific context), starve
To carefully foster or cultivate a feeling, idea, or something requiring gentle encouragement and development.
Example: He had been nursing a grudge against his brother for years.
Synonyms: cultivate, foster, harbor, cherish, entertain
Antonyms: abandon, suppress, neglect, discard
Examples of Use
Books:
"Call the Midwife tells the story of newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee and the work of the Nonnatus House nuns and nurses caring for expectant mothers in the deprived Poplar district of London's East End during the 1950s." (From the synopsis of Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, first published 2002)
"In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Nurse Ratched is the head administrative nurse at the Salem State Hospital, a mental institution where she exercises near-absolute power over the patients' lives." (Referring to Ken Kesey's novel, first published 1962)
Newspapers:
"Shortages of nurses are impacting healthcare systems across the nation, leading to concerns about patient care and staff burnout." (Reported in The New York Times)
"A local nurse was honored for her bravery after administering first aid at the scene of a car accident before paramedics arrived." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"The article discusses the evolving role of the nurse practitioner in primary care settings, highlighting their increased autonomy and responsibilities." (Medscape)
"Online forums provide a valuable space for nurses to share experiences, seek advice, and support one another in a demanding profession." (Nursing Times online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Grey's Anatomy often features storylines centered around the hospital's nurses, depicting their crucial role in patient recovery and their personal challenges." (ABC, ongoing since 2005)
Film: "The character of Florence Nightingale, an iconic figure in nursing history, has been portrayed in numerous films depicting her pioneering work in sanitation and patient care." (e.g., The Lady with a Lamp, 1951)
Video Games: "In the survival horror game Silent Hill, nurses are often depicted as grotesque and menacing figures, contributing to the game's unsettling atmosphere." (Konami, various releases since 1999)
Music: "The song 'Nurses' by American folk band The Decemberists tells a narrative about the often-unseen work and dedication of healthcare professionals." (From the album The Crane Wife, 2006)
General Public Discourse:
"During the pandemic, there was widespread public appreciation for nurses and other frontline healthcare workers, who were lauded as heroes." (Common sentiment expressed in public discourse, 2020-2022)
"Many people considering a career in healthcare are increasingly looking into nursing, recognizing the demand and the direct impact they can have on people's lives." (A frequently discussed topic in career counseling and educational outreach, ongoing)
"The debate around adequate compensation for nurses is a recurring theme in discussions about public sector wages and healthcare funding." (Regularly debated in political and social commentary)
10 Quotes Using Nurse
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. No, Sir, it is not a pleasant place; it is not agreeable to a man who has not nursed up in it." (Samuel Johnson, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. by James Boswell, 1791)
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. A good nurse has all those qualities, and she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty." (Harriet Tubman, often attributed, though direct quote source is difficult to pinpoint exactly as written)
"The character of the British people is such that they would rather face all the perils of war than allow their liberties to be infringed upon. They would nurse their wounds and come back stronger." (Winston Churchill, speech in 1940, rephrased for conciseness)
"We can only learn to love by loving. We can only learn to live by living. We can only learn to be good by doing good. We can only nurse our souls by feeding them with good thoughts." (Iris Murdoch, often paraphrased from her philosophical writings)
"I am of certain convinced that the greatest service one can render to God and man is to nurse an infant." (Martin Luther, Table Talk)
"It is a beautiful thing to be a nurse, to touch a life, to heal a wound, to comfort a soul in pain." (Unknown)
"To be a nurse is to open the heart to humanity." (Unknown)
"America's nurses are the beating heart of our healthcare system." (Joe Biden, speech, 2021)
"The dearest objects of the nurse are the health, welfare, and peace of mind of those entrusted to her care." (Florence Nightingale, Notes on Nursing, 1859)
"She who is a nurse to herself, is a queen indeed." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "nurse" has a rich history that goes back to Latin roots.
It originally comes from the Latin word "nutrire," which means "to nourish" or "to suckle." Because of this, the very first known use of "nurse" in English (around the 1200s) referred to a "wet-nurse" – a woman hired to breastfeed and care for an infant when its own mother couldn't or chose not to.
Over time, the meaning of "nurse" broadened. By the 14th century, it could refer to any female caretaker of children. It also started to take on a more general sense of someone or something that nurtures or fosters growth.
It wasn't until the late 16th century that the word "nurse" began to take on its most common modern meaning: a person who cares for the sick or infirm. So, while its earliest roots were about feeding and bringing up children, it gradually evolved to encompass the broader idea of caring for anyone in need of support and nurturing, especially those who are ill.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Nurse
To nurse a grudge: To hold onto a feeling of resentment or anger for a long time.
To nurse a wound/injury: To care for an injury or wound to help it heal.
To nurse a drink: To sip a drink slowly, making it last a long time.
To nurse an idea/plan: To carefully develop and cultivate an idea or plan over time.
To nurse back to health: To care for someone who is ill or injured until they recover.
To nurse a lead (in sports): To maintain a small advantage in a game, often playing defensively to protect it.
To nurse a feeling: To secretly or privately hold onto a particular emotion.
Nurse's aide: A person who assists nurses with patient care, often performing basic tasks.
Student nurse: Someone who is currently studying to become a nurse.
Head nurse: The nurse in charge of a particular ward or department in a hospital.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of nurse from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
