Nest \Nest\, n. [AS. nest; akin to D. & G. nest, Sw. n["a]ste,
L. nidus, for nisdus, Skr. n[=i]?a resting place, nest; cf.
Lith. lizdas, Arm. neiz, Gael. & Ir. nead. Prob. from the
particle ni down, Skr. ni + the root of E. sit, and thus
orig., a place to sit down in. [root] 264. See Nether, and
Sit, and cf. Eyas, Nidification, Nye.]
1. The bed or receptacle prepared by a fowl for holding her
eggs and for hatching and rearing her young.
The birds of the air have nests. --Matt. viii.
20.
2. Hence: the place in which the eggs of other animals, as
insects, turtles, etc., are laid and hatched; a snug place
in which young animals are reared. --Bentley.
3. A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or situation; a
retreat, or place of habitual resort; hence, those who
occupy a nest, frequent a haunt, or are associated in the
same pursuit; as, a nest of traitors; a nest of bugs.
A little cottage, like some poor man's nest.
--Spenser.
4. (Geol.) An aggregated mass of any ore or mineral, in an
isolated state, within a rock.
5. A collection of boxes, cases, or the like, of graduated
size, each put within the one next larger.
6. (Mech.) A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc.,
working together or collectively.
Nest egg, an egg left in the nest to prevent the hen from
forsaking it, and to induce her to lay more in the same
place; hence, figuratively, something laid up as the
beginning of a fund or collection. --Hudibras.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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