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nest

nest11 senses · 7 ms
Level B1CET-4CET-6高考考研Oxford 3000
local copy0 msLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0Wiktionary contributors
noun/nɛst/
  1. 1

    A structure built by a bird as a place to incubate eggs and rear young.

  2. 2

    Any of various similar structures or sites used by other animals:; A structure built, or site modified, to incubate eggs, rear young, or shelter a colony.

    • mouse nests, wasp nests, skink nests
    • Trapdoor spider nests are vertical tubes in the ground, lined with silk.
  3. 3

    Any of various similar structures or sites used by other animals:; A temporary structure or modified site created by an animal for sleeping, resting, or protection from the elements.

    • Chimpanzees bend and weave fresh tree branches to create a comfortable nest for the night.
  4. 4

    Any of various similar structures or sites used by other animals:; A depression, mound, or localized structure prepared by an aquatic animal for spawning and guarding eggs.

    • The male stickleback glues together pieces of algae to form a tunnel-like nest to attract a mate.
  5. 5

    A snug, comfortable, or cosy residence or job situation.

  6. 6

    A retreat, or place of habitual resort.

  7. 7

    A hideout for bad people to frequent or haunt; a den.

    • a nest of thieves
    • That nightclub is a nest of strange people!
  8. 8

    A home that a child or young adult shares with a parent or guardian.

    • I am aspiring to leave the nest.
  9. 9

    A fixed number of cards in some bidding games awarded to the highest bidder allowing him to exchange any or all with cards in his hand.

    • I was forced to change trumps when I found the ace, jack, and nine of diamonds in the nest.
  10. 10

    A fortified position for a weapon.

    • a machine gun nest
verb/nɛst/
  1. 1

    To build or settle into a nest.intransitive

  2. 2

    To settle into a home.intransitive

    • We loved the new house and were nesting there in two days!
  3. 3

    To successively neatly fit inside another.intransitive

    • I bought a set of nesting mixing bowls for my mother.
  4. 4

    To place in, or as if in, a nest.transitive

  5. 5

    To place one thing neatly inside another, and both inside yet another (and so on).transitive

    • There would be much more room in the attic if you had nested all the empty boxes.
  6. 6

    To hunt for birds' nests or their contents (usually "go nesting").intransitive

    • After the first heavy frost, when acorns were falling, I took a friend into partnership and went nesting.

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