*sery*

n. [ See 2d Lama. ] A monastery or convent of lamas, in Tibet, Mongolia, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Miseries [ OE. miserie, L. miseria, fr. miser wretched: cf. F. misère, OF. also, miserie. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; wretchedness; distress; woe. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Destruction and misery are in their ways. Rom. iii. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune. [ 1913 Webster ]

When we our betters see bearing our woes,
We scarcely think our miseries our foes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish; distress; calamity; misfortune. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Nurseries [ Cf. F. nourricerie. ] 1. The act of nursing. [ Obs. ] “Her kind nursery.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A place where young of any species, plant or animal, are nourished preparatory to transfer elsewhere; especially a place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. “Fair Padua, nursery of arts.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven. J. M. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is nursed. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Nurserymen One who cultivates or keeps a nursery, or place for rearing trees, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A place where roses are cultivated; a nursery of roses. See Rosary, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]