Fos·ter v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fostered p. pr. & vb. n. Fostering.]
1. To feed; to nourish; to support; to bring up.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children. --Shak.
2. To cherish; to promote the growth of; to encourage; to sustain and promote; as, to foster genius.
n 1: encouragement; aiding the development of something [syn: fosterage]
2: raising someone to be an accepted member of the community;
"they debated whether nature or nurture was more
important" [syn: breeding, bringing up, fosterage, nurture,
raising, rearing, upbringing]