—nest /nest/
noun [C] (HOME)
C2 a structure built by birds or insects to leave their eggs in to develop, and by some other animals to give birth or live in:
» a bird's nest» a wasps'/hornets' nest» a rat's nest» Cuckoos are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.» The alligators build their nests out of grass near the water's edge.Thesaurus+: ↑Animal dwellings - natural , ↑Animal Dwellings - man-madeF0 a comfortable home:
» One day the children grow up and leave the nest.Thesaurus+: ↑HomeF0 a place where something unpleasant or unwanted has developed:
» The diplomats have been sent home because their embassy has become a nest of spies.Thesaurus+: ↑Unpleasant places , ↑Places and locations• • •
Extra Examples:» The cuckoo lays her egg in another bird's nest.» If disturbed, the bird may abandon the nest, leaving the chicks to die.» The bird regarded me with suspicion as I walked up to its nest.» There's a wasps' nest in that old tree.» Meanwhile, the mother flies back to the nest to feed her young.noun [C] (SET)
► F0 a set of things that are similar but different in size and have been designed to fit inside each other: » I'd like a nest of tables for the living room.Thesaurus+: ↑Groups and collections of things , ↑Variety and mixturesverb [I] ↑Verb Endings for nest
► C2 to build a nest, or live in a nest: » We've got some swallows nesting in our roof at the moment.» Stone farm buildings are ideal nesting sites for barn owls.Thesaurus+: ↑Animal (non-human) behaviour- start date
- starter
- starter motor
- starting date
- starting line
- starting pistol
- starting point
- starting price
- starting salary
- starting time
- startle
- startled
- startling
- startlingly
- start off
- start on at sb
- start on sth
- star/top billing
- start out
- start over
- start sb off
- start/set/get the ball rolling
- start (sth) off
- start sth off
- start (sth) up