nest n. & v. --n. 1 a
structure or
place where a
bird lays eggs
and shelters
its young. 2 an animal's or insect's breeding-place or lair. 3 a
snug or secluded
retreat or
shelter. 4 (often foll. by of) a place fostering
something undesirable (a nest of vice). 5 a
brood or swarm. 6 a
group or set of
similar objects,
often of
different sizes and
fitting together for storage (a nest of tables). --v. 1 intr.
use or
build a nest. 2 intr.
take wild birds' nests or eggs. 3 intr. (of objects) fit together or
one inside another. 4 tr. (usu. as nested adj.)
establish in or as in a nest. ønest egg 1 a
sum of
money saved for
the future. 2 a real or
artificial egg left in a nest to
induce hens to lay eggs
there. øønestful n. (pl. -fuls). nesting n. (in
sense 2 of v.). nestlike adj. [OE nest]