Cŭl'ti-vā'tion, n.

n. 1. The art or practice of cultivating; improvement for agricultural purposes; tillage; production by tillage.

2. Bestowal of time or attention for self-improvement or the benefit of others; fostering care; civilization.
3. The state of being cultivated; advancement in physical, intellectual, or moral condition; refinement; culture.

Italy . . . was but imperfectly reduced to cultivation before the irruption of the barbarians. Hallam.