nest

¹nest

noun \ˈnest\

Definition of NEST

1

a : a bed or receptacle prepared by an animal and especially a bird for its eggs and young b : a place or specially modified structure serving as an abode of animals and especially of their immature stages <an ants' nest> c : a receptacle resembling a bird's nest

2

a : a place of rest, retreat, or lodging : home <grown children who have left the nest> b : den, hangout

3

: the occupants or frequenters of a nest

4

a : a group of similar things <a nest of giant mountains — Helen MacInnes> b : hotbed 2 <a nest of rebellion>

5

: a group of objects made to fit close together or one within another

6

: an emplaced group of weapons

Examples of NEST

1. The bird built a nest out of small twigs.
2. If you look closely, you can see a nest in that tree.
3. They lived in a cozy little nest in the suburbs.

Origin of NEST

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nest nest, Latin nidus

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NEST

Synonyms: hotbed, hothouse, breeding ground, nidus, nursery, seedbed, seminary

Related Words: crucible; base, capital, center, core, cynosure, eye, focus, heart, hub, mecca, nucleus, seat; focus, headquarters

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Rhymes with NEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, pest, quest, rest, test, tressed, vest, west, wrest, zest