NEST
Dictionary entry overview: What does nest mean?
• NEST (noun)
The noun NEST has 5 senses:
1. a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
2. a kind of gun emplacement
3. a cosy or secluded retreat
4. a gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality
5. furniture pieces made to fit close together
Familiarity information: NEST used as a noun is common.
• NEST (verb)
The verb NEST has 4 senses:
1. inhabit a nest, usually after building
2. fit together or fit inside
3. move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
4. gather nests
Familiarity information: NEST used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• NEST (noun)
Meaning:
A structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)
Hypernyms ("nest" is a kind of...):
natural object (an object occurring naturally; not made by man)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "nest"):
beehive; hive (a structure that provides a natural habitation for bees; as in a hollow tree)
bird nest; bird's nest; birdnest (nest where birds lay their eggs and hatch their young)
drey (the nest of a squirrel)
mouse nest; mouse's nest (where mice bear and raise their young)
nidus (a nest in which spiders or insects deposit their eggs)
Meaning:
A kind of gun emplacement
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Context examples:
a machine-gun nest / a nest of snipers
Hypernyms ("nest" is a kind of...):
gun emplacement; weapons emplacement (an emplacement for a gun)
Meaning:
A cosy or secluded retreat
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Hypernyms ("nest" is a kind of...):
retreat (a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet)
Meaning:
A gang of people (criminals or spies or terrorists) assembled in one locality
Classified under:
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects
Context example:
a nest of thieves
Hypernyms ("nest" is a kind of...):
gang; mob; pack; ring (an association of criminals)
Domain category:
act of terrorism; terrorism; terrorist act (the calculated use of violence (or threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "nest"):
sleeper nest (a nest of sleepers awaiting a prearranged signal)
Meaning:
Furniture pieces made to fit close together
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("nest" is a kind of...):
article of furniture; furniture; piece of furniture (furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy)
• NEST (verb)
Meaning:
Inhabit a nest, usually after building
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
birds are nesting outside my window every Spring
Hypernyms (to "nest" is one way to...):
inhabit; occupy (be present in; be inside of)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Fit together or fit inside
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
nested bowls
Hypernyms (to "nest" is one way to...):
embed; engraft; imbed; implant; plant (fix or set securely or deeply)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something PP
Meaning:
Move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
snuggle; nuzzle; nestle; draw close; cuddle; nest
Context examples:
We cuddled against each other to keep warm / The children snuggled into their sleeping bags
Hypernyms (to "nest" is one way to...):
cling to; clutch; hold close; hold tight (hold firmly, usually with one's hands)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Gather nests
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "nest" is one way to...):
collect; garner; gather; pull together (assemble or get together)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
In the summer they like to go out and nest
