nest

n. [ AS. nest; akin to D. & G. nest, Sw. näste, L. nidus, for nisdus, Skr. nī&dsdot_;a resting place, nest; cf. Lith. lizdas, Arm. neiz, Gael. & Ir. nead. Prob. from the particle ni down, Skr. ni + the root of E. sit, and thus orig., a place to sit down in. √ 264. See Nether, and Sit, and cf. Eyas, Nidification, Nye. ] 1. The bed or receptacle prepared by a fowl for holding her eggs and for hatching and rearing her young. [ 1913 Webster ]

The birds of the air have nests. Matt. viii. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A little cottage, like some poor man's nest. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Geol.) An aggregated mass of any ore or mineral, in an isolated state, within a rock. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A collection of boxes, cases, or the like, of graduated size, each put within the one next larger. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mech.) A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To build and occupy a nest. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king of birds nested within his leaves. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. An egg left in the nest to prevent the hen from forsaking it, and to induce her to lay more in the same place. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, (figuratively), Money set aside in a special fund to be used for special occasions, or more commonly, for retirement; as, she set aside a large hunk of her salary every month and had a considerable nest egg for her retirement. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Nestfuls As much or many as will fill a nest. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To house, as in a nest. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cherish, as a bird her young. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Nestled p. pr. & vb. n. Nestling ] [ AS. nestlian. ] 1. To make and occupy a nest; to nest. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The kingfisher . . . nestles in hollow banks. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To lie close and snug, as a bird in her nest; to cuddle up; to settle, as in a nest; to harbor; to take shelter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of the wild country, and there nestle till succors came. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. Clement Clarke Moore (A Visit From St. Nicholas, (a poem [ 1823 ]) also called The Night Before Christmas). [ PJC ]

3. To move about in one's place, like a bird when shaping the interior of her nest or a young bird getting close to the parent; as, a child nestles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Newly hatched; being yet in the nest. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A young bird which has not abandoned the nest. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A nest; a receptacle. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]