Nu"tri*ent (?), a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.] Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth. -- n. Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which nourishes or promotes growth.

• a source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue
  
• providing nourishment