A nest that hangs or is suspended from branches, particularly those built by hangbirds like orioles and weavers.
Compound of 'hang' and 'nest,' literally describing the architectural feature of nests that are suspended rather than built in tree forks. Used in ornithological and natural history texts since at least the 18th century.
Hangnests are engineering marvels—a weaver bird's hanging nest uses gravity and interlocking plant fibers to create a structure so strong it protects eggs and chicks from predators and weather, yet it hangs so delicately it sways in the wind like a cradle.
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