— nestable , adj. — nester , n. — nestlike , adj. — nesty , adj.
/nest/ , n.
1. a pocketlike, usually more or less circular structure of twigs, grass, mud, etc., formed by a bird, often high in a tree, as a place in which to lay and incubate its eggs and rear its young; any protected place used by a bird for these purposes.
2. a place used by insects, fishes, turtles, rabbits, etc., for depositing their eggs or young.
3. a number of birds, insects, animals, etc., inhabiting one such place.
4. a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
5. an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.
6. a place where something bad is fostered or flourishes: a nest of vice; a robber's nest.
7. the occupants or frequenters of such a place.
v.t.
8. to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.
9. to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.
v.i.
10. to build or have a nest: The swallows nested under the eaves.
11. to settle in or as if in a nest.
12. to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.
13. to search for or collect nests: to go nesting.
14. Computers. to place a routine inside another routine that is at a higher hierarchical level.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE (c. D, G nest; akin to L nidus nest, OIr net, Welsh nyth, Skt nida lair) nizdo- bird's nest, equiv. to * ni down (see NETHER) + * zd-, var. of * sd-, ablaut var. of * sed-, v. base meaning "sit" (see SIT) + * -o- theme vowel ]