Den \Den\, n. [AS. denn; perh. akin to G. tenne floor, thrashing
floor, and to AS. denu valley.]
1. A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or
among rocks; esp., a cave used by a wild beast for shelter
or concealment; as, a lion's den; a den of robbers.
2. A squalid place of resort; a wretched dwelling place; a
haunt; as, a den of vice. ``Those squalid dens, which are
the reproach of great capitals.'' --Addison.
3. Any snug or close retreat where one goes to be alone.
[Colloq.]
4. [AS. denu.]
A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell. [Old Eng. &
Scotch] --Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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