Small rooms used as studies or retreats; lairs or resting places of wild animals.
From Old English 'denn' meaning a valley or hollow, later extended to animal lairs. The sense of a private room for human use developed in the 19th century, influenced by the cozy, sheltered associations of animal dens.
The human 'den' perfectly captures our desire for animal-like retreat spaces - cozy, private areas where we can metaphorically hibernate from the world. Whether it's a home office or a bear's cave, dens represent the universal need for a personal sanctuary.
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