nested

adjective Mathematics.

1. (of an ordered collection of sets or intervals) having the property that each set is contained in the preceding set and the length or diameter of the sets approaches zero as the number of sets tends to infinity.

noun

1. a pocketlike, usually more or less circular structure of twigs, grass, mud, etc., formed by a bird, often high in a tree, as a place in which to lay and incubate its eggs and rear its young; any protected place used by a bird for these purposes.
2. a place used by insects, fishes, turtles, rabbits, etc., for depositing their eggs or young.
3. a number of birds, insects, animals, etc., inhabiting one such place.
4. a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
5. an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.
6. a place where something bad is fostered or flourishes: a nest of vice; a robber’s nest.
7. the occupants or frequenters of such a place.

verb (used with object)

8. to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.
9. to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.

verb (used without object)

10. to build or have a nest: The swallows nested under the eaves.
11. to settle in or as if in a nest.
12. to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.
13. to search for or collect nests: to go nesting.
14. Computers. to place a routine inside another routine that is at a higher hierarchical level.

noun

1. a place or structure in which birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, mice, etc, lay eggs or give birth to young
2. a number of animals of the same species and their young occupying a common habitatan ants’ nest
3. a place fostering something undesirablea nest of thievery
4. the people in such a placea nest of thieves
5. a cosy or secluded place
6. a set of things, usually of graduated sizes, designed to fit togethera nest of tables
7. military a weapon emplacementa machine-gun nest

verb

8. (intr) to make or inhabit a nest
9. (intr) to hunt for birds’ nests
10. (tr) to place in a nest

v.Old English nistan “to build nests,” from Proto-Germanic *nistijanan, from the source of nest (n.). The modern verb is perhaps a new formation in Middle English from the noun. Related: Nested; nesting. n.Old English nest “bird’s nest, snug retreat,” also “young bird, brood,” from Proto-Germanic *nistaz (cf. Middle Low German, Middle Dutch nest, German Nest), from PIE *nizdo- (cf. Sanskrit nidah “resting place, nest,” Latin nidus “nest,” Old Church Slavonic gnezdo, Old Irish net, Welsh nyth, Breton nez “nest”), probably from *ni “down” + *sed- (1) “to sit” (see sedentary). Used since Middle English in reference to various accumulations of things (e.g. a nest of drawers, early 18c.). Nest egg “retirement savings” is from 1700, originally “a real or artificial egg left in a nest to induce the hen to go on laying there” (c.1600). see empty nest; feather one’s nest; foul one’s nest; stir up a hornet’s nest.