n.
- the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
▸a refined understanding or appreciation of this.
- the customs, ideas, and social behaviour of a particular people or group.
- Biology the cultivation of bacteria, tissue cells, etc. in an artificial medium containing nutrients.
▸a preparation of cells obtained in such a way.
- the cultivation of plants.
▸
[
in combination]
denoting cultivation or husbandry:
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aviculture.
v.
Biology maintain (tissue cells, bacteria, etc.) in conditions suitable for growth.
Etymology
C17 (denoting a cultivated piece of land): the noun from Fr. culture or directly from L. cultura ‘growing, cultivation’; the verb from obs. Fr. culturer or med. L. culturare, both based on L. colere (see cultivate).
