Nest
Nest (nest) , noun
[Anglo-Saxon nest; akin to Dutch & German nest, Swedish naste, Latin nidus, for nisdus, Sanskrit nīda resting place, nest; compare Lithuanian lizdas, Arm. neiz, Gael. & Ir. nead. Probably from the particle ni down, Sanskrit ni + the root of English sit, and thus orig., a place to sit down in. r 264. See Nether, and Sit, and compare Eyas, Nidification, Nye.]
1.
The bed or receptacle prepared by a fowl for holding her eggs and for hatching and rearing her young.
The birds of the air have nests.
2.
The place in which the eggs of other animals, as insects, turtles, etc., are laid and hatched; a snug place in which young animals are reared. — Bentley
3.
A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or situation; a retreat, or place of habitual resort; hence, those who occupy a nest, frequent a haunt, or are associated in the same pursuit; as, a nest of traitors; a nest of bugs.
A little cottage, like some poor man's nest.
4.
(Geology) An aggregated mass of any ore or mineral, in an isolated state, within a rock.
5.
A collection of boxes, cases, or the like, of graduated size, each put within the one next larger.
6.
(Mechanics) A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively.
Nest , intransitive verb
To build and occupy a nest.
The king of birds nested within his leaves.
Nest , transitive verb
To put into a nest; to form a nest for.
From him who nested himself into the chief power.