nutrient

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: nu=tri=ent

CIDE DICTIONARY

nutrient, a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.].

 Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth.  [1913 Webster]

nutrient, n. 

•  Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which nourishes or promotes growth; a nutriment.  [1913 Webster]
•  A substance added to the growth medium of a microorganism to promote growth.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

nutrient, n. & adj.
--n. any substance that provides essential nourishment for the maintenance of life.
--adj. serving as or providing nourishment.

Etymology

L nutrire nourish