Definition

1. Noun:

   • A structure built by animals for laying eggs and raising young: A "nest" is a place created by birds, insects, or some other animals to hold their eggs and provide shelter for their offspring.
   • A cozy, snug, or secluded place: A "nest" can refer to any comfortable, warm, or private retreat.
   • A group or collection of similar things, often fitting together: A "nest" can describe a set of objects, like furniture, designed to fit compactly inside one another.
   • A place frequented by undesirable people or activities; a den: A "nest" can metaphorically describe a place where criminals, spies, or other groups gather.

2. Verb:

   • To build or occupy a nest: Used for animals, especially birds, creating or living in a nest.
   • To fit snugly or compactly together: To arrange objects so they fit inside or closely with one another.
   • To settle comfortably and cozily: To position oneself in a warm, snug, and secure manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The robin built a sturdy nest in the oak tree.
  • After a long day, her favorite armchair was her cozy nest.
  • She bought a nest of tables for her small apartment.
  • The police raided a nest of thieves in the old warehouse.

• Verb:

  • The swallows nest under the eaves every summer.
  • The bowls nest neatly inside the cupboard.
  • The puppies nested against their mother for warmth.

Advanced Usage

• "To feather one's nest": To enrich oneself, especially by taking advantage of a position of trust.

  • The corrupt official used public funds to feather his own nest.

• "A hornet's nest": A situation that is fraught with difficulties, controversy, or angry reactions.

  • His comments stirred up a hornet's nest of criticism.

• "Nest egg": A sum of money saved for the future.

  • They have a comfortable nest egg for their retirement.

Variants and Related Words

• Nester (n): One who nests; a settler.
• Nestful (n): As much or as many as a nest will hold.
• Nesting (n/adj): The activity of building a nest; (in computing/design) the placement of objects or data structures inside others.
• Nestlike (adj): Resembling a nest.

Synonyms

• Noun: Den, lair, hideaway, refuge, set, cluster.
• Verb: Settle, snuggle, cuddle, huddle, embed.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Nest" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its verbal meanings are typically used directly or with prepositions like "in," "against," or "into.") - Nest in/into: To settle comfortably into a place. - The cat nested into the pile of blankets.

Related Idioms

• "It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest": A proverb meaning it is foolish or wrong to harm one's own home, family, or reputation.
• "Empty nest": The situation in which children have grown up and left their parents' home.
  • After the kids went to college, they experienced empty nest syndrome.

Noun

1. furniture pieces made to fit close together
2. a gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality
   • a nest of thieves
3. a cosy or secluded retreat
4. a kind of gun emplacement
   • a machine-gun nest
   • a nest of snipers
5. a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

Verb

1. gather nests
2. move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
   • We cuddled against each other to keep warm
   • The children snuggled into their sleeping bags
3. fit together or fit inside
   • nested bowls
4. inhabit a nest, usually after building
   • birds are nesting outside my window every Spring