Den
/dɛn/noun
A small, secluded room or lair used by a person or animal.
Did you know?In Old English, related forms could mean a cave or hollow, and the word’s deep Germanic roots are tied to the idea of a concealed place rather than a cozy room.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dhen-
“to run, flow, or move along”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*danją
“a hollow, valley, or low place”
Old English
OE
denu
“valley”
Old English
OE
den
“a cave, lair, or hollow place”
Middle English
ME
den
“a secluded place or animal’s lair”
Modern English
English
den
“a small private room or animal’s lair”