nestling

- 6 dictionary results

nest⋅ling

[nest-ling, nes-ling]

–noun

1.	a young bird not yet old enough to leave the nest.

2.	a young child or infant.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME; see nest, -ling ¹

[nes-uh

verb, -tled, -tling.

–verb (used without object)

1.	to lie close and snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle.

2.	to lie or be located in a sheltered spot; be naturally or pleasantly situated: a cottage nestling in a pine grove.

Archaic.

a.	to make or have a nest.

b.	to make one's home; settle in a home.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to settle or ensconce snugly: He nestled himself into the hay for a short nap.

5.	to put or press confidingly or affectionately: She nestled her head on his shoulder.

6.	to provide with or settle in a nest, as a bird.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME nestlen, OE nestlian, c. D nestelen. See nest, -le

Related forms:

nestler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

nes·tle (něs'əl)

v. nes·tled, nes·tling, nes·tles

v. intr.

To settle snugly and comfortably: The cat nestled among the pillows.
To lie in a sheltered position: a cottage that nestles in the wood.
To draw or press close, as in affection; snuggle: The child nestled up to her mother.
Archaic To nest.

v. tr.

[Middle English nestlen, to make a nest, from Old English nestlian, from nest, nest.]
nes'tler n.

nest·ling (něst'lĭng, něs'-)

Word Origin & History

nestle

O.E. nestlian "build a nest," from nest (see nest). Figurative sense of "settle (oneself) comfortably, snuggle" is first recorded 1547.

nestling

1399, "bird too young to leave the nest," from nest (q.v.) + dim. suffix -ling.

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