Definition of: cultivate

(kul′tə·vāt) v.t. ·vat·ed, ·vat·ing
1. To work by stirring, fertilizing, sowing, and reaping; raise crops from.
2. To bestow labor and care upon for the purpose of aiding and improving growth.
3. To loosen the soil about (growing plants) with a cultivator, hoe, etc.: to cultivate potatoes twice.
4. To improve or develop by study, exercise, or training; refine; civilize.
5. To study carefully; pay special attention to; endeavor to acquire, improve, or develop by study and effort; cherish: to cultivate philosophy.
6. To cherish carefully the friendship or society of: to cultivate one's relatives.
7. To prepare a culture of bacteria. [<Med. L cultivatus, pp. of cultivare <cultivus tilled <L cultus, pp. of cultivare <cultivus tilled <L cultus, pp. of colere care for, worship]
—cul′ti·vat′ed adjective