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cultivate

[kuhl-tuh-veyt]
verb (used with object), cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing.
  1. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
  2. to use a cultivator on.
  3. to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.
  4. to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.
  5. to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine: to cultivate a singing voice.
  6. to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
  7. to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).
  8. to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).
  9. to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).
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Origin of cultivate

1610–20; < Medieval Latin cultīvātus (past participle of cultīvāre to till), equivalent to cultīv(us) (Latin cult(us), past participle of colere to care for, till (cf. cult) + -īvus -ive) + -ātus -ate1
Related formso·ver·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), o·ver·cul·ti·vat·ed, o·ver·cul·ti·vat·ing.pre·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), pre·cul·ti·vat·ed, pre·cul·ti·vat·ing.re·cul·ti·vate, verb (used with object), re·cul·ti·vat·ed, re·cul·ti·vat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for over-cultivated

Historical Examples

  • Are there no ladders to be found in this benighted and over-cultivated region?

    Red Rose and Tiger Lily

    L. T. Meade

  • Any man, suffering from over-cultivated self-esteem, can be supplied by this club with wholesome physic.

  • All the years of his over-hurried, over-cultivated, ambitious life he had delved into the psychology of others.

    Out of the Ashes

    Ethel Watts Mumford

  • Female virtue has been over-cultivated, the flower has grown to an enormous size, but it has lost its scent.

    The Truth About Woman

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

British Dictionary definitions for over-cultivated

cultivate

verb (tr)
  1. to till and prepare (land or soil) for the growth of crops
  2. to plant, tend, harvest, or improve (plants) by labour and skill
  3. to break up (land or soil) with a cultivator or hoe
  4. to improve or foster (the mind, body, etc) as by study, education, or labour
  5. to give special attention toto cultivate a friendship; to cultivate a hobby
  6. to give or bring culture to (a person, society, etc); civilize
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Word Origin

C17: from Medieval Latin cultivāre to till, from Old French cultiver, from Medieval Latin cultīvus cultivable, from Latin cultus cultivated, from colere to till, toil over
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

Word Origin and History for over-cultivated

cultivate

v.

early 17c., from Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from Late Latin cultivus "tilled," from Latin cultus (see cult). Figurative sense of "improve by training or education" is from 1680s. Related: Cultivable; cultivated; cultivating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper