The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Nursery \Nurs"er*y\, n.; pl. Nurseries. [Cf. F. nourricerie.]
   1. The act of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind nursery." --Shak.
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   2. The place where nursing is carried on; as:
      (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to
          the care of children.
      (b) A place where young of any species, plant or animal,
          are nourished preparatory to transfer elsewhere;
          especially a place where young trees, shrubs, vines,
          etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting;
          a plantation of young trees.
      (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth
          promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of arts." --Shak.
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                Christian families are the nurseries of the
                church on earth, as she is the nursery of the
                church in heaven.                 --J. M. Mason.
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      (d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the
          nursery of seamen.
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   3. That which is nursed. [R.] --Milton.
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