den

¹

[ den ]

noun

1. the lair or shelter of a wild animal, especially a predatory mammal.
2. a room, often secluded, in a house or apartment, designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, and informal atmosphere for conversation, reading, writing, etc.
3. a cave used as a place of shelter or concealment.
4. a squalid or vile abode or place:

   dens of misery.

5. one of the units of a cub scout pack, analogous to a patrol in the Boy Scouts.

verb (used with object)

, denned, den·ning.

1. to drive or pursue (an animal) into its den.
2. to kill (an animal) inside its den.

verb (used without object)

, denned, den·ning.

1. to live in or as if in a den.

Den.

²

abbreviation for

1. Denmark.

Den.

¹

abbreviation for

1. Denmark

den

²

/ dɛn /

noun

1. the habitat or retreat of a lion or similar wild animal; lair
2. a small or secluded room in a home, often used for carrying on a hobby
3. a squalid or wretched room or retreat
4. a site or haunt

   a den of vice

5. a small wooded valley; dingle
6. dialect.
   a place of sanctuary in certain catching games; home or base

verb

1. intr to live in or as if in a den

Word History and Origins

Origin of den¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English denn; compare early Dutch denne floor, cave, den, German Tenne floor

Word History and Origins

Origin of den¹

Old English denn; related to Old High German tenni threshing floor, early Dutch denne low ground, den, cave

Related Words

• cave
• hotbed
• nest
• sanctuary