◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. encourage or promote the development of (something, typically something regarded as good) • 鼓励；促进 »the teacher's task is to foster learning. 教师的任务是促进学习。 develop (a feeling or idea) in oneself • 培养；助长（感情，观念） »appropriate praise helps a child foster a sense of self-worth. 适当表扬有助于树立孩子的自尊心。 2. bring up (a child that is not one's own by birth) • 收养，领养（非亲生子女） [Brit.] (of a parent or authority) assign (a child) to be brought up by someone other than its parents • [英] （父母，权力机构）把（孩子）交托给养父母 »when fostering out a child, placement workers will be looking for a home similar to their own. 交托儿童抚养时，安置人员会找与其家庭类似的家庭。
【派生】
♦ fosterage noun ♦ fosterer noun
【语源】
1. Old English fōstrian 'feed, nourish', from fōster 'food, nourishment', of Germanic origin; related to food. The sense 'bring up another's (originally also one's own) child' dates from Middle English. See also foster-