nestle

[ nes-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, nes·tled, nes·tling.

1. to lie close and snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle.
2. to lie or be located in a sheltered spot; be naturally or pleasantly situated:

   a cottage nestling in a pine grove.

3. Archaic.
   1. to make or have a nest.
   2. to make one's home; settle in a home.

verb (used with object)

, nes·tled, nes·tling.

1. to settle or ensconce snugly:

   He nestled himself into the hay for a short nap.

2. to put or press confidingly or affectionately:

   She nestled her head on his shoulder.

3. to provide with or settle in a nest, as a bird.

nestle

/ ˈnɛsəl /

verb

1. intr; often foll by up or down to snuggle, settle, or cuddle closely
2. intr to be in a sheltered or protected position; lie snugly
3. tr to shelter or place snugly or partly concealed, as in a nest

Derived Forms

• ˈnestler, noun

Other Words From

• nestler noun
• un·nestled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nestle¹

before 1000; Middle English nestlen, Old English nestlian, cognate with Dutch nestelen. See nest, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of nestle¹

Old English nestlian. See nest

Example Sentences

KFARAKKA, Lebanon — In normal times, you’d rarely hear of Kfarakka, a hamlet nestled in the lush green mountains of north Lebanon whose primary claim to fame is that it’s the country’s top olive oil producer.

From Los Angeles Times

Outside one of two hospitals still open in Nabatieh, nestled on a hill overlooking part of the city, ambulance crews sat outside the hospital courtyard, smoking and drinking coffee.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the gleaming multimillion-dollar mansions nestled among towering pine trees and granite peaks in this exclusive mountain enclave?

From Los Angeles Times

You’ll see egrets and herons in the tidal wetlands of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and perhaps even snowy plovers nestling in the dunes or pecking for insects in the wet sand.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather, they nestle down in a corner, modestly flashing by, one after the next, as the slide tray clicks in nonstop rotation.

From Los Angeles Times