foster
fos·ter (fôʹstər, fŏsʹtər)tr.v. fos·tered, fos·ter·ing, fos·ters 1. To bring up; nurture: bear and foster offspring. See Synonyms at nurture. 2. To promote the growth and development of; cultivate: detect and foster artistic talent. See Synonyms at advance. 3. To nurse; cherish: foster a secret hope.adj. 1. Providing parental care and nurture to children not related through legal or blood ties: foster parents; foster grandparents; a foster home. 2. Receiving parental care and nurture from those not related to one through legal or blood ties: foster children. [Middle English fostren, from Old English *fōstrian, to nourish, from fōstor, food, nourishing. See pā- in Indo-European Roots.]
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