nestle

[nes-uh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nestle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), nes·tled, nes·tling.

to lie close and snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle.

to lie or be located in a sheltered spot; be naturally or pleasantly situated: a cottage nestling in a pine grove.

Archaic.

to make or have a nest.
to make one's home; settle in a home.

verb (used with object), nes·tled, nes·tling.

to settle or ensconce snugly: He nestled himself into the hay for a short nap.

to put or press confidingly or affectionately: She nestled her head on his shoulder.

to provide with or settle in a nest, as a bird.

Origin of nestle

before 1000; Middle English nestlen, Old English nestlian, cognate with Dutch nestelen. See nest, -le

Related formsnes·tler, nounun·nes·tled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for nestle

nuzzle, huddle, snug, bundle, cuddle, snuggle, burrow

Examples from the Web for nestle

Contemporary Examples of nestle

“It was tough to get the Star of David to nestle within the right patch of chest hair,” jokes Wilkinson.
Creating American Hustle’s Sexy, Oscar-Nominated Look: From Pasties to The Plaza
Marlow Stern
February 23, 2014
Last year, Breyer sold his stock in Nestle so he could participate in a case involving that company.
The Supreme Court’s Health-Care Stock Problem
Peter Schweizer
March 28, 2012

Historical Examples of nestle

Nestle here with us, and see wonderful things come to pass.'
A Little Book of Profitable Tales
Eugene Field
And welcomes the visions that day after day With baby's sweet presence will nestle and stay.
Grandma's Memories
Mary D. Brine
I longed to take her and nestle her comfortably; but, of course, took no notice of her.
Lotus Buds
Amy Carmichael
As well expect a breadth of starched brown holland to nestle.
The Return of Peter Grimm
David Belasco
The world will nestle in regaling plenty and great assurance.
The Lost Ten Tribes, and 1882
Joseph Wild

British Dictionary definitions for nestle

nestle

verb

(intr; often foll by up or down) to snuggle, settle, or cuddle closely

(intr) to be in a sheltered or protected position; lie snugly

(tr) to shelter or place snugly or partly concealed, as in a nest

Derived Formsnestler, noun

Word Origin for nestle

Old English nestlian. See nest

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

Word Origin and History for nestle

Old English nestlian "build a nest," from nest (see nest (n.)). Figurative sense of "settle (oneself) comfortably, snuggle" is first recorded 1540s. Related: Nestled; nestling.