nutrient

3 definitions found

nutrient - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Nutrient \Nu"tri*ent\, a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See
     Nourish.]
     Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth.
     [1913 Webster]

  Nutrient \Nu"tri*ent\, n. n.
     1. Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which
        nourishes or promotes growth; a nutriment.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Specifically: (Microbiology) A substance added to the
        growth medium of a microorganism to promote growth.
        [PJC]

nutrient - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  nutrient
      adj 1: of or providing nourishment; "good nourishing stew" [syn:
             alimentary, alimental, nourishing, nutrient,
             nutritious, nutritive]
      n 1: any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give
           energy and build tissue [syn: food, nutrient]
      2: any substance (such as a chemical element or inorganic
         compound) that can be taken in by a green plant and used in
         organic synthesis