nestle
Americanverb (used without object)
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to lie close and snug, like a bird in a nest; snuggle or cuddle.
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to lie or be located in a sheltered spot; be naturally or pleasantly situated.
a cottage nestling in a pine grove.
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Archaic.
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to make or have a nest.
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to make one's home; settle in a home.
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verb (used with object)
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to settle or ensconce snugly.
He nestled himself into the hay for a short nap.
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to put or press confidingly or affectionately.
She nestled her head on his shoulder.
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to provide with or settle in a nest, as a bird.
verb
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(intr; often foll by up or down) to snuggle, settle, or cuddle closely
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(intr) to be in a sheltered or protected position; lie snugly
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(tr) to shelter or place snugly or partly concealed, as in a nest
Other Word Forms
- nestler noun
- unnestled adjective
Etymology
Origin of nestle
before 1000; Middle English nestlen, Old English nestlian, cognate with Dutch nestelen. See nest, -le
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The station where Williams stopped is situated along a busy road in the city of Falls Church, nestled between an Anglican church, an auto repair shop and a dentist's office.
From Barron's
It was a squat, humble box of a building with a big rectangular service window nestled at the end of a long row of covered parking spots and green picnic tables, mostly occupied.
From Literature
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He struck the stone against the rim of his monocle, raining sparks over the hearth kindling—once, twice, three times, until the sparks nestled into the tinder and began to grow into flames.
From Literature
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"I still have this picture before my eyes: a person leaning on a tree, with ski poles next to him, listening to the radio somehow nestled on their chest," she recalls.
From BBC
Video posted online shows a mourning ceremony for Parastesh - framed pictures of her nestled among candles and flowers.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.