NESTLING

nestling, baby bird

(noun) young bird not yet fledged

child, kid, youngster, minor, shaver, nipper, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke, fry, nestling

(noun) a young person of either sex; “she writes books for children”; “they’re just kids”; “‘tiddler’ is a British term for youngster”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

nestling (plural nestlings)

A small, young bird that is still confined to the nest.

Synonym: quab

(obsolete) A nest; a receptacle.

Etymology 2

Verb

nestling

present participle of nestle

Noun

nestling (plural nestlings)

The act of one who nestles.

Anagrams

• slenting

Source: Wiktionary

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Nes"tling. n.

1. A young bird which has not abandoned the nest. Piers Plowman.

2. A nest; a receptacle. [Obs.] Bacon.

Nes"tling, a.

Definition: Newly hatched; being yet in the nest.

NESTLE

Nes"tle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nestled; p. pr. & vb. n. Nestling.] Etym: [AS. nestlian.]

1. To make and occupy a nest; to nest. [Obs.] The kingfisher ... nestles in hollow banks. L'Estrange.

2. To lie close and snug, as a bird in her nest; to cuddle up; to settle, as in a nest; to harbor; to take shelter. Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of the wild country, and there nestle till succors came. Bacon.

3. To move about in one's place, like a bird when shaping the interior of her nest or a young bird getting close to the parent; as, a child nestles.

Nes"tle, v. t.

Definition: To house, as in a nest.

2. To cherish, as a bird her young.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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