- nest
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nest nest, Latin nidus
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. a bed or receptacle prepared by an animal and especially a bird for its eggs and young
b. a place or specially modified structure serving as an abode of animals and especially of their immature stages <an ants' nest> c. a receptacle resembling a bird's nest 2. a. a place of rest, retreat, or lodging ; home <grown children who have left the nest> b. den, hangout 3. the occupants or frequenters of a nest 4. a. a group of similar things <a nest of giant mountains — Helen MacInnes> b. hotbed 2 <a nest of rebellion> 5. a group of objects made to fit close together or one within another 6. an emplaced group of weapons II. verb Date: 13th century intransitive verb 1. to build or occupy a nest ; settle in or as if in a nest 2. to fit compactly together or within one another ; embed transitive verb 1. to form a nest for 2. to pack compactly together 3. to form a hierarchy, series, or sequence of with each member, element, or set contained in or containing the next <nested subroutines>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.