ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nestle

v.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈnɛsˈɫi// UK //nˈɛsəl// nes·tle Archaic

v. to sit or lie in a comfortable position, often in a small space. You use this when you are curled up in a warm, safe place.

v. to sit or lie in a comfortable, snug position; to be positioned closely together in a confined space. Often used to describe the physical act of curling up for warmth or comfort.


SIMPLE

She likes to nestle into the corner of the sofa.

CONTEXTUAL

The baby nestles against its mother's chest to find warmth and comfort during the cold night.

COMPLEX

The small bird nestles into the thick moss of the tree trunk, perfectly camouflaged from the eyes of its predators.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English nestelen, nestlen, from Old English nistlan, nestlian, nistlian (“to make or build a nest”), from Proto-West Germanic *nistilōn (“to build or occupy a nest; nestle”), equivalent to nest + -le. Cognate with Middle Low German nëstelen (“to build a nest”), Dutch nestelen (“to nest, nestle”).

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