nest

1 a place or environment that favors the development of something <suspected that the elite private universities were a nest of antigovernment sentiments> Synonyms hotbed, hothouse, breeding ground, nidus, nursery, seedbed, seminaryRelated Words crucible; base, capital, center, core, cynosure, eye, focus, heart, hub, mecca, nucleus, seat; focus, headquarters

2 a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others <headed back to her cozy nest in the mountains for a little rest and relaxation> Synonyms concealment, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hidey-hole (or hidy-hole), lair, hideoutRelated Words blind, cover, nook, recess; hangout, harbor, harborage, haunt, haven, redoubt, refuge, retreat, shelter