Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
wean (v.)
now has three Standard meanings: (1) the literal “to accustom mammalian infants to foods other than breast milk, especially to solid foods” (She was weaned early because of her mother’s ill health and inability to nurse her); (2) the figurative “to accustom anyone to leaving an old set of circumstances or conditions” (Parents are trying to wean their children [away] from television); and (3) the relatively new and curiously changed sense now in wide use “to be raised and nourished on” (I was weaned on books of every sort). In this last example, the implication is that the speaker went straight from mother’s milk to books; it’s a hyperbole, but Standard, although some conservatives object to it.
