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    cultivate

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    cultivate
    cul‧ti‧vate /ˈkʌltəveɪt, ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ verb [transitive]
     Date: 1600-1700
     Language: Medieval Latin
     Origin: past participle of cultivare, from cultivus 'used for crops', from Latin cultus, past participle of colere 'to cultivate'
    1. to prepare and use land for growing crops and plants:
        The land was too rocky to cultivate.
    2. formal to plant and take care of a particular crop
       SYN  grow:
        We cultivated maize and watermelons.
      REGISTER
        In everyday English, people usually say someone grows a crop rather than cultivates it:
       ▪ They have been growing grapes there for hundreds of years.
    3. to work hard to develop a particular skill, attitude, or quality:
        Try to cultivate a more relaxed and positive approach to life.
        The company has been successful in cultivating a very professional image.
    4. to make an effort to develop a friendly relationship with someone, especially someone who can help you:
        Professor Gladwyn would be an acquaintance worth cultivating.