nestle en · VERB
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Middle English nestelen, nestlen, from Old English nistlan, nestlian, nistlian (“to make or build a nest”), from Proto-West Germanic *nistilōn (“to build or occupy a nest; nestle”), equivalent to nest + -le. Cognate with Middle Low German nëstelen (“to build a nest”), Dutch nestelen (“to nest, nestle”).
Meanings
-
To settle oneself comfortably and snugly.
In the work that it [the Servants of India Society] will do in the future it will be the spirit of Mr. [Gopal Krishna] Gokhale that will inspire it. So I would remind you that while you raise a statue to his public honour, do not forget what matters more, the hope that ever nestled warmly in his heart, that is nearest and dearest to those who imitate him, throwing away everything of this world and burning upon the altar of their country in sacrifice all that the world could give of joy and wealth, […]
1915 April, Annie Besant, “The Servants of India Society”, in Speeches & Writings of Annie Besant, 3rd edition, Madras: G. A. Natesan & Co., published September 1921, →OCLC, page 281:
- To press oneself against another affectionately.
-
(intransitive) To lie half-hidden or in shelter.
The old shop nestled between the newer apartment buildings.
Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of the wild and desolate country, and there to nestle till greater succours came.
a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629, →OCLC:
-
(archaic, intransitive) To build or sit upon a nest.
The kingfisher […] nestles in hollow banks.
1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
-
(archaic, transitive) Of a bird: to look after its young.
This assimilates them more nearly to the natural conditions when the hen nestles her chicks on the earth, whilst the warmth is given chiefly over their backs.
1871, Gardeners Chronicle & New Horticulturist, volume 31, page 123:
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(transitive) To move or place into a comfortable position.
Nestle the feta blocks and rosemary sprig among the vegetables and lightly drizzle with the reamining 1 tablespoon oil.
2022, Melissa Clark, Dinner in One, →ISBN, page 46:She made no answer, but her fingers nervously nestled the leaves of a book.
1862, William S. Woodbridge, Captain Paul's Adventure:With as little of movement as possible, Aeon nestled her head closer to his chest, even more inder his chin.
2010, Sarah Tyler, Panthera Leo and the Call of Destiny, →ISBN, page 124:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| nestles | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| nestled | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| nestled | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| nestling | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Deriveds
nestlingly · unnestle · nestle-cock · nestle-bird · nestler
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (38)
fi painautua mukavasti jotakin vasten (to press oneself against another affectionately) · uk гніздитись (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · mi kōpipiri (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · bg настанявам се (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · pl zagnieździć się (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · hi सटना (to press oneself against another affectionately) · gl aconchegar (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · bg сгушвам се (to press oneself against another affectionately) · de es sich gemütlich machen (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · sh pripiti se (to press oneself against another affectionately) · es acurrucarse (to press oneself against another affectionately) · ru прильну́ть (to press oneself against another affectionately) · pl przytulić się (to press oneself against another affectionately) · it accomodarsi (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · ru прижа́ться (to press oneself against another affectionately) · ru угнезди́ться (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · ru гнезди́ться (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · sh privijati (to press oneself against another affectionately) · ru прижима́ться (to press oneself against another affectionately) · ru льнуть (to press oneself against another affectionately) · sh priljubiti (to press oneself against another affectionately) · sh privinuti (to press oneself against another affectionately) · sh ugnezditi se (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · es acomodarse (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · hi चिपकना (to press oneself against another affectionately) · sv nästla (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · hy տեղավորվել (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · pt aconchegar-se (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · fi käpertyä (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · fr se nicher (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · fr se pelotonner (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · de sich anschmiegen (to press oneself against another affectionately) · es acomodarse (to press oneself against another affectionately) · es acurrucarse (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · ru мости́ться (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · sh ugnijezditi se (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly) · fr se pelotonner (to press oneself against another affectionately) · ru примости́ться (to settle oneself comfortably and snugly)