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   foster

   /ˈfɒstə/

   verb

   • 1. encourage the development of (something, especially something desirable): "the teacher's task is to foster learning" Similar encouragepromotefurtherstimulateadvanceforwardcultivatenurturestrengthenenrichhelpaidabetassistcontribute tosupportendorsechampionspeak forproselytizesponsorespouseupholdbackboostgive backing tofacilitateOpposite neglectsuppressdestroy
   • ▪ develop (a feeling or idea) in oneself: "appropriate praise helps a child foster a sense of self-worth"
   • 2. bring up (a child that is not one's own by birth): "a person who would foster Holly was found" Similar bring uprearraisecare fortake care oflook afternurtureprovide formotherparent
   • ▪ (of a parent or authority) assign (a child) to be brought up by someone other than its parents: British "when fostering out a child, placement workers will be looking for a home similar to their own"

   Word Origin Old Englishfōstrian ‘feed, nourish’, from fōster‘food, nourishment’, of Germanic origin; related to food. The sense ‘bring up another's (originally also one's own) child’ dates from Middle English. See also foster-.

   Derivatives

   • 1. fosterer noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • F

     4

   • O

     1

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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