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nes·tle

(nĕsəl)

v. nes·tled, nes·tling, nes·tles

v.intr.

1. To settle snugly and comfortably: The cat nestled among the pillows.

2. To lie in a sheltered position: a cottage that nestles in the wood.

3. To draw or press close, as in affection; snuggle: The child nestled up to her mother.

4. Archaic To nest.

v.tr.

1. To snuggle or press contentedly: The baby nestled its head on my shoulder.

2. To place or settle as if in a nest: I nestled the puppy in my arms.

[Middle English nestlen, to make a nest, from Old English nestlian, from nest, nest.]

nestler n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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