ˈfɔstə v. & adj. --v.tr. 1 a
promote the growth or
development of. b
encourage or
harbour (a feeling). 2 (of circumstances) be
favourable to. 3 a
bring up (a
child that is
not one's
own by birth). b
Brit. (of a
local authority etc.)
assign (a child) to be fostered. 4
cherish;
have affectionate regard for (an
idea,
scheme, etc.). --adj. 1 having a
family connection by fostering
and not by
birth (foster-brother; foster-child; foster-parent). 2 involving or
concerned with fostering a child (foster
care; foster home). øøfosterage n. (esp. in
sense 3 of v.). fosterer n. [OE fostrian, foster, rel. to FOOD]