nest

Everyday

1. A nest is a home that birds build to lay their eggs and raise their young. tree →
2. Other animals make nests too: wasps, ants, mice and squirrels. tree →
3. To nest means to build or live in a nest. tree →
4. Things that nest fit inside each other, like nesting dolls or bowls. tree →

In the lessons

In science nests are part of how animals look after their young; birds use twigs, grass, mud and feathers. In safety and nature lessons: never touch a bird's nest or a wasp nest, and leave baby birds alone; in spring many birds are nesting. Phrases: bird's nest, wasps' nest, build a nest, leave the nest, empty nest, nesting box.

Examples

• A robin built a nest in our hedge. tree →
• There are three blue eggs in the nest. tree →
• Don't poke a wasp nest; the wasps will sting you. tree →
• The baby birds left the nest when they could fly. tree →
• Squirrels make nests called dreys high in the trees. tree →
• We put up a nesting box in the garden. tree →
• Don't disturb birds when they are nesting. tree →
• The little bowls nest inside each other to save space. tree →
• "This is my nest," I said. tree →

Note

Countable: a nest, nests. A bird's nest belongs to the bird; in many places it is against the law to take eggs or damage nests in use. Not every bird uses a nest for sleeping; nests are mainly for eggs and chicks.

In Jewish tradition

A nest is a home that birds build for their young. The Writings use it for the home of birds and as a picture of a person's place.

Interpretation. The Torah compares God's care for Israel to an eagle stirring up its nest. The law of the mother bird forbids taking the mother with the young, and tradition teaches it as a lesson in mercy. Proverbs says a man who wanders from his place is like a bird wandering from its nest, which is read as a warning to stay in one's proper home and duty.

Examples

• As an eagle that stirreth up her nest, hovereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her pinions — (Torah DEU.32.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said: Though firm be thy dwelling-place, and though thy nest be set in the rock; (Torah NUM.24.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Doth the vulture mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? (Writings JOB.39.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wherein the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house. (Writings PSA.104.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. (Writings PRO.27.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a nest, nests. A bird's nest belongs to the bird; in many places it is against the law to take eggs or damage nests in use. Not every bird uses a nest for sleeping; nests are mainly for eggs and chicks.