nutrient
UK: ˈnjuːtriənt | US: ˈnuːtriənt
n. a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life
adj. providing nourishment; nutritious
The word "nutrient" originates from the Latin nutrient- (present participle of nutrire, meaning "to nourish"). The morpheme "nutri" preserves the core idea of nourishment, while the suffix "-ent" (from Latin -entem) forms adjectives or nouns indicating agency or state. Over time, "nutrient" evolved in English to describe both the nourishing substance itself (noun) and its quality (adjective). The logic is straightforward: "nutri" (nourish) + "-ent" (result/state) = "that which nourishes."
Plants absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots.
This drink is fortified with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
A balanced diet ensures adequate nutrient intake.
The nutrient-rich broth helped the patient recover faster.
Scientists study how nutrients affect cellular growth.