wet nurse

¹ American  

noun

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

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wet-nurse ² American  

[wet-nurs] / ˈwɛtˌnɜrs /

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.

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wet nurse British  

noun

1. a woman hired to suckle the child of another

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verb

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

2. informal to attend with great devotion

Etymology

Origin of wet nurse¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Origin of wet-nurse²

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The woman had been a palace fixture since she’d been engaged as a wet nurse when Aurelia was born, and she had been interfering and even criticizing ever since.

From Literature

Nan had come to the castle as a wet nurse for a Brandon Stark whose mother had died birthing him.

From Literature

"My wet nurse said the same thing, Will," Royce re-plied.

From Literature

“And to his wet nurse, I am thinking.”

From Literature

“I thought the wet nurse was this man Craster’s daughter?”

From Literature

Related Words

• assistant
• attendant
• medic
• registered nurse
• therapist