What does 'nurture' most closely mean?

The term 'nurture' most closely means to cultivate, which involves providing care, support, and encouragement to help someone or something grow and develop. In various contexts, nurturing can refer to the physical, emotional, or intellectual development of individuals, such as children or plants. Cultivating encourages positive growth and development over time, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of 'nurture.'

The other choices do not align with this definition. Neglect implies a lack of care, which is the opposite of nurturing. Imitate suggests copying someone else's behavior, and dismiss means to reject or send away. Both of these concepts do not relate to the supportive and developmental connotation that nurturing carries.