nestling
See also: Nestling
EnglishEdit
Etymology 1Edit
From Middle English nestling, equivalent to nest + -ling.
PronunciationEdit
NounEdit
nestling (plural nestlings)
- A small, young bird that is still confined to the nest.
- Synonym: quab
- (obsolete) A nest; a receptacle.
- 1605, Francis Bacon, “(please specify |book=1 or 2)”, in The Tvvoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], OCLC 932932554:
- the secrecies of the passages, and the seats or nestlings of the humours
TranslationsEdit
small, young bird that is still confined to the nest
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Etymology 2Edit
PronunciationEdit
VerbEdit
nestling
NounEdit
nestling (plural nestlings)
- The act of one who nestles.
- 1871, Kate Neely Hill Festetits, Actions speak louder than words:
- 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 […]