1. A structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
   "The robin built its nest in the branches of the old oak tree"
    
2. A cosy or secluded retreat
   "The couple built a little nest in the countryside for their retirement"
    
3. A kind of gun emplacement
   "a machine-gun nest"; "a nest of snipers"
    
4. A gang of people (criminals, spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality
   "a nest of thieves"
    
5. Furniture pieces made to fit close together
   "The nest of tables could be easily stored when not in use"

1. Inhabit a nest, usually after building
   "birds are nesting outside my window every Spring"
    
2. Fit together or fit inside
   "nested bowls"
    
3. Move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cosy position
   "The cat nested in the warm blankets";
   - cuddle, snuggle, nestle, nuzzle, draw close, cosy [Brit, Cdn], cosy up [Brit, Cdn], cozy up [N. Amer], cozy [N. Amer]
    
4. Gather nests
   "The researchers nested abandoned bird nests for their study"

Derived forms: nests, nesting, nested

Type of: article of furniture, cling to, clutch, collect, dwell, embed, engraft, furniture, gang, garner, gather, gun emplacement, hold close, hold tight, imbed, implant, inhabit, live, mob, natural object, pack, piece of furniture, plant, populate, pull together, retreat, ring, weapons emplacement

Encyclopedia: Nest