I. ˈnest noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German nest nest, Latin nidus
Date: before 12th century
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
II. verb
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1. : to build or occupy a nest : settle in or as if in a nest
2. : to fit compactly together or within one another : embed
transitive verb
1. : to form a nest for
2. : to pack compactly together
3. : to form a hierarchy, series, or sequence of with each member, element, or set contained in or containing the next
nest ed subroutines