Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Nursery \Nurs"er*y\, n.; pl. {Nurseries}. [Cf. F. nourricerie.]
   1. The act of nursing. [Obs.] ``Her kind nursery.'' --Shak.

   2. The place where nursing is carried on; as:
      (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to
          the care of children.
      (b) A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are
          propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a
          plantation of young trees.
      (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth
          promoted. ``Fair Padua, nursery of arts.'' --Shak.

                Christian families are the nurseries of the
                church on earth, as she is the nursery of the
                church in heaven.                 --J. M. Mason.
      (d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the
          nursery of seamen.

   3. That which is nursed. [R.] --Milton.