noun
aerie
EER-ee/ˈɪri/
A secluded dwelling or nest high above its surroundings.
An eagle tends its eggs in an aerie high on a cliff.
Etymology
Old French aire supplies the nest meaning directly. A deeper connection with Latin area, meaning 'level ground' or 'garden bed,' has been proposed, but is disputed.
More examples
- The pair returned to their aerie each spring.
- From her mountain aerie, the writer watched clouds cross the valley.
- Several aeries dotted the inaccessible cliffs above the river.
Forms
aerie · aeries