wet nurse

¹

noun

1. a woman hired to suckle another's infant.

wet-nurse

²

[wet-nurs]

verb (used with object)

wet-nursed, wet-nursing 

1. to act as a wet nurse to (an infant).

2. to give excessive care or attention to; treat as if helpless.

   The warden is accused of wet-nursing his prisoners.

wet nurse

noun

1. a woman hired to suckle the child of another

verb

1. to act as a wet nurse to (a child)

2. informal,  to attend with great devotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of wet nurse¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Origin of wet nurse²

First recorded in 1775–85

Related Words

• assistant 
• attendant 
• medic 
• registered nurse 
• therapist