nestling

noun — 3 senses

nestling

noun

/ˈnɛstlɪŋ/

Etymology From Middle English nestling, equivalent to nest + -ling.

1

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

2

Obsolete A nest; a receptacle.

[…] the Secrecies of the Paſſages; and the ſeats or neaſtling of the humours; […]1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 41, verso:

Related terms: fledgling, hatchling

nestling

noun

/ˈnɛsəlɪŋ/ · /ˈnɛslɪŋ/

Etymology From nestle + -ing.

1

The act of one who nestles.

It was associated, to them, with vague sweet memories of loving nestlings in mother's arms, of soft warm coddlings before the fire, of slow rocking to and fro in the little, low, flag chair, and gradual droppings off to sleep […]1871, Kate Neely Hill Festetits, Actions speak louder than words:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.