Definition of: cherish

(cher′ish) v.t.
1. To care for kindly; hold dear; treat with tenderness; foster.
2. To entertain fondly, as a hope or an idea; hold closely to. [<F chériss-, stem of chérir hold dear <cher dear <L carus]
—cher′ish·er noun Synonyms: cheer, comfort, encourage, entertain, foster, harbor, nourish, nurse, nurture, protect, shelter, treasure, value. To cherish is both to hold dear and to treat as dear. To nurse is to tend the helpless or feeble. To nourish is strictly to sustain and build up by food; to nurture includes mental and spiritual training with love and tenderness; to foster is simply to maintain and care for.