1. (n.) The bed or receptacle prepared by a fowl for holding her eggs and for hatching and rearing her young.

2. (n.) Hence: the place in which the eggs of other animals, as insects, turtles, etc., are laid and hatched; a snug place in which young animals are reared.

3. (n.) A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or situation; a retreat, or place of habitual resort; hence, those who occupy a nest, frequent a haunt, or are associated in the same pursuit; as, a nest of traitors; a nest of bugs.

4. (n.) An aggregated mass of any ore or mineral, in an isolated state, within a rock.

5. (n.) A collection of boxes, cases, or the like, of graduated size, each put within the one next larger.

6. (n.) A compact group of pulleys, gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively.

7. (v. i.) To build and occupy a nest.

8. (v. t.) To put into a nest; to form a nest for.