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nestle(dictionary)
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nestle (iou)



nestle verb.
[Old English nestlian = Middle Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch nestelen, formed as NEST noun + -LE3.]
I. verb intrans.
Of a bird etc.: make or have a nest, esp. in a place; = NEST verb 1. OE.
W. S. Dallas They nestle in rocks and holes of trees, and lay five or six eggs.
Lodge or settle more or less permanently as in a nest. Formerly, make one's home (in). LME.
Settle down as in a nest or in a snug or comfortable manner (foll. by down, in, into, among, etc.); draw or press (close) to or up to a person or thing, esp. in an affectionate manner. L17.
D. H. Lawrence 'Yes,' she murmured, nestling very sweet and close to him. Z. Tomin We nestled in bed with a book each.
Lie half-hidden or embedded (in); be in a snug or sheltered situation (foll. by among, in, etc.). L18.
R. K. Narayan A small village nestling at the foot of the range of mountains. A. Judd Instead of nestling snugly under his arm,..the bulky Browning pressed heavily against his ribs. P. Cutting The town of Baalbek nestles in the foothills.
II. verb trans.
refl. Settle or establish oneself in a place. (Foll. by in(to).) Now rare. M16.
Place or settle in or as in a nest; set in a secure place. Freq. as nestled ppl adjective. M16.
Chicago He poured me some Harvey's Bristol Cream..from a bottle nestled in a bar.
Provide with a nesting-place. M17.
E. Cook Where the citron-tree nestles the soft humming-bird.
Push, press, rest, or settle (one's head etc.) in a snug or affectionate manner. L17.
Conan Doyle The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his father's breast.
Comb.: nestle-chick, nestle-cock (now dial.) the last-hatched bird or weakling of a brood; a mother's pet, a spoilt or delicate child or youth; nestle-tripe (now dial.) = NESTLING 2.
nestler noun (a) a nesting bird; (b) a nestling; a little child: E17.