nesiote 
nesiote (ni~'si-ot), . [<(Jr. ri/rr':>rw, an ishind- 
er, < i >,<-"<, an island. J Insular; inhabiting an 
islaiiil. 
neski, neskhi(ncs'ki), . [Ar.J The cursive or 
running hand ordinarily used in Arabic manu- 
srripts and jirinti'il hooks. 
Two systems of writing were used concomltantly, the 
< 'title or uncial and the AYxK or running band. 
</<. Brit., XIII. 117. 
Nesogsea (ne-so-je/ii), . [NL., < Gr. w/oor, an 
island, + yala, the earth.] In zoogeog., Poly- 
in-sia or Oceania, with New Zealand excluded, 
considered with reference to the geographical 
distribution of its animals. 
Nesogaean (ne-so-je'an), a. [< Nesogtea + -an.} 
In twftog., of or pertaining to ffesogcea. 
Nesokia (ne-so'ki-a), . [NL.] A genus of 
murine rodents of "the subfamily 
Bandicoot (.Vfsotta bandicota). 
having a short, scaly, nearly naked tail, and 
including several species of Indian bandicoot- 
rats, as a. bandicota. J. E. Gray. 
Nesomys (ues'o-mis), n. [NL., < Gr. vf/aos, an 
island, + /ii>r, a mouse.] A remarkable genus 
of murine rodents of the family Muridte, having 
teeth of sigmodont pattern. It is pemrliar to Mada- 
gascar, whore it is one of two genera which constitute the 
entire rodent fauna of thu island, so far as is known. The 
genus was established by W. Peters in 1870. 
Nesonetta (nes-o-net'ii), n. [NL., < Gr. vijao^, 
an island, + vfirra, a duck.] A genus of eris- 
maturine ducks of the family Anatidce and the 
subfamily Krismaturinte, established by G. R. 
Gray in 1844. N. aucklandica, the only species 
known, inhabits the Auckland Islands, whence 
the name. 
Nesotragus (ne-sot'ra-gus), H. [NL., < Gr. 
vf/aof, an island, 4- rp&yo^, a goat.] A genus of 
small antelopes inhabiting Zanzibar and Mo- 
zambique. if, moschatus is the typical species. 
Same as Neotragus. 
ness (nes), n. [< ME. nesse, < AS. mess = Icel. 
HI-X Dan. nas = Sw. nas, a headland; akin 
to now 1 .] A point of land running into the sea ; 
a promontory; a headland; a cape. 
We weyed anker, and bare cleere of the nesse. 
Ilakluyt's Voyages, I. 310. 
[ A'CJB occurs as a termination of the names of some prom- 
ontories or headlands : as, Sheer/Km, DuugeneM. ] 
-ness. [< ME. -nett, -nesse, < AS. -nex, -nix, -nys, 
-IK'XX, etc., = OS. -nixxi, -nitmeit, -ni.vxiu. -ueisxi, 
-Hiixxi. -nuxxia = OFries. -nesse = MD. -nesse, D. 
-nix = MLG. -ninse = OHG. -nassi, -nussi, -ntssi, 
-nissa, -nessi, -nexsa, MHG. -nisse, -MHXXI; -nix, 
-nus, G. -His, -ni.tn = Goth, -nassus (as in iliimli- 
a, kingdom), prop. -M-rt.wM-.v, the belong- 
ing orig. to the stem (adj. or pp.) of the word, 
and the suffix being -assu-s (= OHG. -issa, - 
. 
-M-.-.S-I), as in ufar-assus, superfluity; perhaps 
orig. '-(ifi-tu-s, a similar termination occurring 
in wi.vfl, q. v. The termination is fern, in AS., 
etc., but also iieut.inOHG.,andmasc.inGoth.] 
A suffix of Anglo-Saxon origin, used to form, 
from adject ivrs, nouns denoting the abstract 
quality of the adjective, as <inn,liiix.i. xin-ctm-xx. 
irliitfiifxx. li n HI I, Inn. is. hoprfitlnemt, xiiiritinilin-xx. 
crookedness, nr ; /!< ,-/<,/, <.s-.v. obligingness, the qunl- 
ity or state of being good, sweet, white, etc. All 
L'50 
3073 
such words are originally abstract, but some have come to 
he used also a concrete, as u-itaea, a person who gives tes- 
timony, tritderness, a wild region. The suffix is applicable 
to any adjective; but in adjectives of Latin origin the 
. i n i talent suffli -tin, of Latin origin. Is abo used (and Is 
Mil' n |, r , -ffiabltri: <u In lorpidnets, credMenett, equivalent 
to torpidity, credibility. 
Nesslerization (ues'ler-i-za'shon), n. [< Jfess- 
Ifi-L-i- + -nlion.] The process of Nesslerizing. 
See \i.i-:!i ii i . 
Nesslerize (ues'ler-iz), v. t.: pret. and pp. ACM- 
li'i i.'d, ppr. XCK.-II n mi/. [< Messier (see def.) 
+ -i.e.] To treat with Nessler's reagent : il> - 
termine (ammonia) with the help of Nessler'n 
reagent. 
Nessler's reagent. See reagent. 
nest 1 (nest), n. [Early mod. E. also neast; < 
ME. nest, nist, nyst, < AS. nest = D. MLG. LG. 
OHG. MHG. G. nest, nest (not found in Scaud. 
or Goth. ), = Lit h. lisilas = L. nidus (for *nisdux) 
(> It. 8p. nido = F. nid), a nest, = Skt. nida, 
a lair, den, for *nisda, perhaps < ni, down, + 
V sad, sit: see nether 1 and sit. Of. Goth, '//.<. 
a nest, = E.settle 1 , a seat; settle 1 , seat, sit, etc., 
being thus related to nest . Cf. Icel. kith, a nest, 
akin to Gr. Kolrr/, a couch (< neioOai, lie), and to 
E. home. Whether Bret, ntiz, IT. Gael, nead, a 
nest, are related to the Teut. and L. word is 
not clear. The OF. nest is from E. From the 
L. word (nidus) are derived E. nide, nidus, nidi- 
fication, nye' 2 , nias, eyas, etc.] 1. A structure 
formed or used by a bird for incubation and the 
rearing of its young. Such nesting-places are of the 
most diverse character, some birds making a slight nest or 
none at all, while others construct for their eggs recep- 
tacles requiring remarkable skill and Industry. The ma- 
terials used are also extremely various, as twigs, leaves, 
grass, moss, wool, feathers, mud or clay, etc. Some birds, 
for the sake of safety, excavate burrows for their nests in 
banks or sandy cliffs, or holes in trees. See cuts under 
hiK-nctt. 
Brlddes Ich hy-helde In bosshes maden nates. 
Pirn Plowman (C), xiv. 166. 
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; 
but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 
Mat. viil. 20. 
2. A place where the eggs of insects, turtles, 
etc., are laid ; a place in which the young of cer- 
tain small animals are reared, or a number of 
such animals dwelling together: as, a nest of 
rabbits. 
Seek not a scorpion's nest, 
Nor set no footing on this unkind shore. 
Shale., 2 Hen. VI., 111. 2. 8. 
3. A snug place of residence ; habitation ; abode. 
Not farre away, not meet for any guest, 
They spide a little cottage, like some poore mans nest. 
Spemer, f. Q., IV. v. 82. 
4. Any abode, especially of evil things : as, a 
nest of vice. 
Lady, come from that nest 
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep. 
Shot., R. and J., v. 3. 151. 
5. A number of persons dwelling or consorting 
together or resorting to the same haunt, or the 
haunt itself: generally in a bad sense. 
The imbecile government, incapable of defending itself, 
implored Gonsalvo's aid In dislodging this next of formi- 
dable freebooters. Prescott, Ferd. and Isa,, U. 3. 
In almost all of the poorer districts of London are to be 
found " nests of Irish " as they are called or courts in- 
habited solely by the Irish costermojigers. 
Maykeic, London Labour and London Poor, I. 115. 
We seem a nest of traitors none to trust, 
Since our arms faU'd. Tennyson, Princess, v. 
6. A series or set, as of boxes, baskets, trays, 
bowls, etc., of diminishing sizes, each fitting 
within the next in order. 
He has got on his whole nest of nightcaps. 
B. Jmaon, Epiooene, Iv. 1. 
Cogging Cocledemoy is runne away with a neast of gob- 
lets. Martian, Dutch Courtezan, L 1. 
7. A connected series of cog-wheels or pulleys. 
8. In geol., an aggregated mass of any ore 
or mineral in an isolated state, within a rock. 
Crow's nest. See crwj's-nest. Hurrah's nest See 
hurrah. Mare's nest. See marei.- Nest of drawers, 
a set or a cabinet of small drawers. Swallow's nest. 
See nidus hintndinis, under nidus. To feather one's 
nest. See feather. 
nest 1 (nest), v. [< ME. nesten, < AS. nistan, nis- 
tian (=MHG. wwff),makeanest,<n'f, a nest : 
see nest 1 , .] I. intrans. 1. To build or occupy 
a nest. 
Gulls vary considerably In their mode of nesting, but It 
is always in accordance with their structure and habits. 
A. it. Wallace, Nat Select, p. 218. 
The field-mouse wants no bettor place to nest than be- 
neath u large, flat stone. 
J. Bummghs, The Century, XIX. 610. 
2f. To relieve nature. Darii <. 
The most mannerly step but to the door, and nest upon 
the stairs. 
Modern Accmint of Scotland, 1670 (Harl. Misc., VI. 137). 
nestling 
3. To search for nests: as, to go ni*lin</ or hird- 
II. trims. 1. To lodge or house in or as in a 
nest ; provide with a place of shelter or resort ; 
build habitations for; house: often used reflex- 
ively. 
The gallics happily commlng to their accustomed bar 
borow, . . . and all the Masters and mariners of them 
being then netted In their owue homes. 
HaJcluyft Voyages, II. 132. 
Him who nested himself Into the chief power of Geneva 
after the expulsion of the lawful Prince. 
South, Sermons, V. v. 
The feathery throng, 
Hetted in the vernal realms 
Of the poplars and the elms. 
T. B. Read, Wagoner of the Alleghaules. 
2. To place (articles of graduated size belong- 
ing toa set) one within another. See nest 1 , n.,6. 
These shells are netted, the smaller Inside the larger, 
sometimes six or seven In a set. Stand . Xat. Hist., 111. 209. 
nest 2 t, adv., prep., and a. A Middle English 
form of next. 
But so as I can declare It I thenke, 
And nemone no name; but tho that nett were. 
Jtichard the Jtcdelem, L 61. 
nestcockt (nest'kok), n. [Also nescock, nettle- 
cock; < nest 1 + cock 1 .'] A fondling; a delicate 
or effeminate man who stays much at home. 
Compare cockney. 
nestet. See niste. 
nest-egjf (nest'eg), n. 1. An egg (natural or 
artificial) placed or left in a nest to prevent a 
laying hen from forsaking the nest. 2. Some- 
thing laid up as the beginning or nucleus of a 
continued growth or accumulation. 
Be sure, in the mortifications of sin, willingly or care- 
lessly to leave no remains of it, no nest-egg, no principles 
of it, no affections to it. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), IL 17. 
I got my bit of a nest-egg . . . all by my own sharpness 
ten suvrelgns it was wi' dousing the fire at Torry's mill, 
an' it's growed an' growed by a bit an' a bit, till In got a 
matter o' thirty pound. 
Qeorge Eliot, Mill on the Floss, v. 2. 
nestle (nes'l), v. ; pret. and pp. nestled, ppr. 
nestling. [< ME. nestlen, nestelen, < AS. nestlian, 
nistltan (= D. nestelen), make a nest, freq. < nest, 
a nest: see nest 1 , .] I. intrans. 1. To make or 
use a nest ; have a nesting-place : said chiefly of 
birds. 
And the birds nestled in hire branches and thinges lyu- 
ing were fed of that tree. Joye, Expos, of Daniel, Iv. 
The kingfisher wonts commonly by the waterside, and 
nettles in hollow banks. Sir R. L'Ettrange. 
2. To lie close and snug, as a bird in her nest. 
And sweet homes nestle in these dales. 
WhMier, Last Walk in Autumn. 
The little towns of Almlssa and Makarska, both nettling 
by the water's edge at the mountain's foot. 
E. A. Freeman, Venice, p. 200. 
3. To dispose one's self comfortably for rest or 
repose ; snuggle ; cuddle. 
II. traits. 1 . To provide with a nest ; house 
or shelter; settle as in a nest: often used re- 
flexively. 
The Plcts . . . came and nettled themselves in Louthian, 
in the Mers, and other countries more neere to our borders. 
Uolinshed, Hist. Kng., IT. S2. 
They have seen perjury and murder nestle themselves 
Into a throne, live triumphant, and die peaceably. 
South, Sermons, IV. iv. 
Cupid . . . found a downy Bed, 
And nestled in his little Head. 
Prior, Love Disarmed. 
2. To cherish; fondle closely; cuddle, as a bird 
her young. 
This Ithacus so highly is indear'd 
To his Minerua that her hand is euer In his deeds ; 
She like his mother nestles him. 
Chapman, Iliad, xxiii. 680. 
nestle-cockt (ues'1-kok), n. Same as nestcock. 
nestler (nes'ler), n. A nestling. 
The size of the nesUer ls comic, and its tiny beseeching 
weakness is compensated perfectly by the happy patron* 
izlng look of the mother. Emerson, Domestic Life. 
nestling 1 (nes'ling), n. [Verbal n. of nestle, r.] 
1 . The act of making a nest or going to nest ; 
the act of settling or cuddling down. 
Dumb was the sea, and if the beech-wood stirred, 
Twas with the nestling of the gray-winged bird 
Midst its thick leaves. 
William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. SM. 
2t. A nest or nestling-place. 
They [the physicians) inquire not of the diversities of 
the parts, the secrecies of the passages, and the seats or 
nestlings of the humours. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, II. 
I like them [aviaries) not. except they . . . have living 
plants and bushes set in them, that the birds may have 
more scope and natural nettlinn. 
Bacon, Gardens (ed. 1887). 
