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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Cultivate \Cul"ti*vate\ (k?l"t?-v?t), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Cultivated} (-v?`t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cultivating}
(-v?`-t?ng).] [LL. cultivatus, p. p. of cultivare to
cultivate, fr. cultivus cultivated, fr. L. cultus, p. p. of
colere to till, cultivate. Cf. {Colony}.]
1. To bestow attention, care, and labor upon, with a view to
valuable returns; to till; to fertilize; as, to cultivate
soil.
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2. To direct special attention to; to devote time and thought
to; to foster; to cherish.
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Leisure . . . to cultivate general literature.
--Wordsworth.
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3. To seek the society of; to court intimacy with.
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I ever looked on Lord Keppel as one of the greatest
and best men of his age; and I loved and cultivated
him accordingly. --Burke.
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4. To improve by labor, care, or study; to impart culture to;
to civilize; to refine.
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To cultivate the wild, licentious savage. --Addison.
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The mind of man hath need to be prepared for piety
and virtue; it must be cultivated to the end.
--Tillotson.
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5. To raise or produce by tillage; to care for while growing;
as, to cultivate corn or grass.
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