wet nurse
a woman hired to suckle another's infant.
Origin of wet nurse
1Words Nearby wet nurse
Other definitions for wet-nurse (2 of 2)
to act as a wet nurse to (an infant).
to give excessive care or attention to; treat as if helpless: The warden is accused of wet-nursing his prisoners.
Origin of wet-nurse
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wet nurse in a sentence
If one feels overwhelmed, others serve as a buttress, helping her with childcare and breastfeeding, and sometimes even stepping in as wet nurses.
Pregnant Asylum-Seekers Needed Help at the Border. Inside the Program That Provided Care—and Community | Jasmine Aguilera | March 3, 2021 | TimeThe potential role of the wet-nurse, in this context, begins to take on different significance.
Oh, and just last week she played wet nurse to a hungry African baby—just because she could.
A wet-nurse would cost him six dollars a week; and, as to bringing up little Tommy by hand, city milk would soon finish him.
Ruth Hall | Fanny FernAt the time of our visit the institution contained eighty foundlings; to each of those still in infancy was assigned a wet nurse.
Recollections of Thirty-nine Years in the Army | Charles Alexander Gordon
If a wet-nurse is provided, she shall meet the approval of the physician.
Rules and regulations governing maternity hospitals and homes ... September, 1922 | California. State Board of Charities and CorrectionsBut there are certain physical conditions which necessitate the employment of a hired wet-nurse, or weaning.
The Physical Life of Woman: | Dr. George H NapheysTherefore, if for any reason the mother cannot nurse her own child, a hired wet-nurse should be procured.
The Physical Life of Woman: | Dr. George H Napheys
British Dictionary definitions for wet nurse
a woman hired to suckle the child of another
to act as a wet nurse to (a child)
informal to attend with great devotion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse