nest

[ nest ]

/ nɛst /

noun

a pocketlike, usually more or less circular structure of twigs, grass, mud, etc., formed by a bird, often high in a tree, as a place in which to lay and incubate its eggs and rear its young; any protected place used by a bird for these purposes.

a place used by insects, fishes, turtles, rabbits, etc., for depositing their eggs or young.

a number of birds, insects, animals, etc., inhabiting one such place.

a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.

an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.

a place where something bad is fostered or flourishes: a nest of vice; a robber's nest.

the occupants or frequenters of such a place.

verb (used with object)

to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.

to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.

verb (used without object)

to build or have a nest: The swallows nested under the eaves.

to settle in or as if in a nest.

to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.

to search for or collect nests: to go nesting.

Computers. to place a routine inside another routine that is at a higher hierarchical level.

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Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

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Origin of nest

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English (cognate with Dutch, German nest; akin to Latin nīdus “nest,” Old Irish net, Welsh nyth, Sanskrit nīḍa “lair”), ultimately from unattested Indo-European nizdo- “bird's nest,” equivalent to unattested ni “down” (see nether) + unattested zd-, variant of unattested sd-, ablaut variant of unattested sed-, verb base meaning “sit” (see sit¹) + unattested -o- thematic vowel

OTHER WORDS FROM nest

nest·a·ble, adjectivenester, nounnestlike, adjectivenesty, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nest

The suspicious eyes of the nester passed over Beaudry and came back to Dingwell.
The Sheriff's Son|William MacLeod Raine
Dickman had been a nester, and since his death no one had occupied the house, and no one had come to claim his land.
The Trail Horde|Charles Alden Seltzer
But the reference did not embarrass the nester in the least.
Mavericks|William MacLeod Raine
The problem of a fighting “nester” was a new one to the cattlemen of that country.
The Rustler of Wind River|G. W. Ogden

Then with a sigh she returned to the cabin, closed the door, and took up her vigil beside the nester.
The Trail to Yesterday|Charles Alden Seltzer

British Dictionary definitions for nest

nest

/ (nɛst) /

noun

a place or structure in which birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, mice, etc, lay eggs or give birth to young

a number of animals of the same species and their young occupying a common habitatan ants' nest

a place fostering something undesirablea nest of thievery

the people in such a placea nest of thieves

a cosy or secluded place

a set of things, usually of graduated sizes, designed to fit togethera nest of tables

military a weapon emplacementa machine-gun nest

verb

(intr) to make or inhabit a nest

(intr) to hunt for birds' nests

(tr) to place in a nest

Derived forms of nest

nester, nounnestlike, adjective

Word Origin for nest

Old English; related to Latin nīdus (nest) and to beneath, sit

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with nest

nest

see empty nest; feather one's nest; foul one's nest; stir up a hornet's nest.

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nest

noun

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verb (used without object)

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Origin of nest

OTHER WORDS FROM nest

Example sentences from the Web for nest

British Dictionary definitions for nest

noun

verb

Derived forms of nest

Word Origin for nest

Idioms and Phrases with nest

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

nest

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

QUIZZES

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Origin of nest

OTHER WORDS FROM nest

Words related to nest

Example sentences from the Web for nest

British Dictionary definitions for nest

noun

verb

Derived forms of nest

Word Origin for nest

Idioms and Phrases with nest