Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Nest?

\Nest\, n. [AS. nest; akin to D. & G. nest, Sw. n["a]ste, L. nidus, for nisdus, Skr. n[=i]?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. [root] 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. The birds of the air have nests. --Matt. viii. 20. 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. 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. --Spenser. 4. (Geol.) 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. (Mech.) A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively. {Nest egg}, an egg left in the nest to prevent the hen from forsaking it, and to induce her to lay more in the same place; hence, figuratively, something laid up as the beginning of a fund or collection. --Hudibras.
\Nest\, v. i. To build and occupy a nest. The king of birds nested within his leaves. --Howell.
\Nest\, v. t. To put into a nest; to form a nest for. From him who nested himself into the chief power. --South.