a. Obs.–1 [f. L. fōt- ppl. stem of fovēre to cherish -IVE.] Cherishing, warming.

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a. 1639.  T. Carew, CĀlum Brit., iv. Wks. (1824), 168.

                        Those barren seeds
That drop from heaven, If I not cherish them
With my distilling dewes and fotive heat,
They know no vegetation.

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