nest

nest (n

st)

a. A container or shelter made by a bird out of twigs, grass, or other material to hold its eggs and young.

b. A similar structure in which fish, insects, or other animals deposit eggs or keep their young.

c. A place in which young are reared; a lair.

d. A number of insects, birds, or other animals occupying such a place: a nest of hornets.

2. A place affording snug refuge or lodging; a home.

a. A place or environment that fosters rapid growth or development, especially of something undesirable; a hotbed: a nest of criminal activity.

b. Those who occupy or frequent such a place or environment.

a. A set of objects of graduated size that can be stacked together, each fitting within the one immediately larger: a nest of tables.

b. A cluster of similar things.

5. Computer Science A set of data contained sequentially within another.

6. A group of weapons in a prepared position: a machine-gun nest.

v. nest·ed, nest·ing, nests

v.intr.

1. To build or occupy a nest.

2. To create and settle into a warm and secure refuge.

3. To hunt for birds' nests, especially in order to collect the eggs.

4. To fit together in a stack.

v.tr.

1. To place in or as if in a nest.

2. To put snugly together or inside one another: to nest boxes.

[Middle English, from Old English; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]

Word History: Nest is an ancient word, *nizdos in Indo-European, composed of the prefix *ni- "down," plus a form of the verbal root *sed-, "to sit," followed by a suffix used to form nouns, *-os. Thus a *ni-zd-os literally means "(place where the bird) sits down." In Germanic, an old zd became st. Thus *nizdos became *nistaz, which further changed in Old English to nest. Latin also inherited the word *nizdos from Indo-European, where it eventually changed to ndus. This word has been borrowed into English as a scientific term. The prefix *ni- survives elsewhere in English, too, in the words beneath and nether.

nest

Noun

1. a place or structure in which birds or other animals lay eggs or give birth to young

2. a cosy or secluded place

3. a set of things of graduated sizes designed to fit together: a nest of tables

Verb

1. to make or inhabit a nest

2. (of a set of objects) to fit one inside another

3. Computers to position (data) within other data at different ranks or levels [Old English]

Nest a number or collection of people; a number of birds or insects gathered in the same place; an accumulation of similar objects; a number of buildings or streets; a set of objects. See also aerie, bike, brood, swarm.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	nest - a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young natural object - an object occurring naturally; not made by man beehive, hive - a structure that provides a natural habitation for bees; as in a hollow tree bird nest, bird's nest, birdnest - nest where birds lay their eggs and hatch their young drey - the nest of a squirrel mouse nest, mouse's nest - where mice bear and raise their young nidus - a nest in which spiders or insects deposit their eggs
	2.	nest - a kind of gun emplacement; "a machine-gun nest"; "a nest of snipers" gun emplacement, weapons emplacement - an emplacement for a gun
	3.	nest - a cosy or secluded retreat retreat - a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
	4.	nest - a gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality; "a nest of thieves" act of terrorism, terrorism, terrorist act - the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear gang, mob, pack, ring - an association of criminals; "police tried to break up the gang"; "a pack of thieves" sleeper nest - a nest of sleepers awaiting a prearranged signal; "sleeper nests of Islamic terrorists were capable of launching major attacks in Europe"
	5.	nest - furniture pieces made to fit close together article of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture - furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy; "they had too much furniture for the small apartment"; "there was only one piece of furniture in the room"
Verb	1.	nest - inhabit a nest, usually after building; "birds are nesting outside my window every Spring" inhabit, live, populate, dwell - inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of; "People lived in Africa millions of years ago"; "The people inhabited the islands that are now deserted"; "this kind of fish dwells near the bottom of the ocean"; "deer are populating the woods"
	2.	nest - fit together or fit inside; "nested bowls" embed, imbed, implant, plant, engraft - fix or set securely or deeply; "He planted a knee in the back of his opponent"; "The dentist implanted a tooth in the gum"
	3.	nest - move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position; "We cuddled against each other to keep warm"; "The children snuggled into their sleeping bags" cuddle, draw close, nestle, nuzzle, snuggle cling to, hold close, hold tight, clutch - hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm when she got scared" snuggle, nestle - position comfortably; "The baby nestled her head in her mother's elbow" draw close - pull towards oneself; "He drew the crying child close"
	4.	nest - gather nests gather, pull together, collect, garner - assemble or get together; "gather some stones"; "pull your thoughts together"