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

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