nursery

noun12

1. •
   A place where nursing (“breastfeeding”) or the raising of children is carried on.
2. •
   Especially in European countries: a room or area in a household set apart for the care of children.
3. •
   (UK) An institution for small children who not yet have begun primary school during daytime (when their parents work); a daycare centre.
4. •
   A place where anything is fostered and growth promoted.

   • [S]ince for the great desire I had To see faire Padua, nurserie of Arts, I am arriu'd for fruitfull Lombardie, The pleasant garden of great Italy. — 1590
5. •
   A place where animals breed, or where young animals are naturally or artificially reared (for example, on a farm).
6. •
   A place where young shrubs, trees, vines, etc., are cultivated for transplanting, or (more generally) made available for public sale, a garden centre; also (obsolete) a plantation of young trees.
7. •
   A club or team for developing the skills of young players.
8. •
   Something which educates and nurtures.

   • Commerce is the nursery of seamen.
9. •
   (Philippines) The first year of pre-school.
10. •
    Ellipsis of nursery cannon (“a carom shot involving balls that are very close together”).
11. •
    (no longer used, rare) Someone or something that is nursed; a nursling.
12. •
    (no longer used) The act of nursing or rearing.

    • I lou'd her most, and thought to set my rest / On her kind nurcery, [...] — 1603