nidus
noun
ni·dus ˈnī-dəs 
plural nidi ˈnī-ˌdī or niduses
or niduses 1
: a nest or breeding place
especially : a place or substance in an animal or plant where bacteria or other organisms lodge and multiply
2
: a place where something originates, develops, or is located
Did you know?
Nidus literally means "nest" in Latin, and some of its relatives in English suggest this connection in a straightforward way. For example, we have nidification for the process of building a nest, and nidicolous, meaning "reared in a nest." But nidus itself, when used as an English word, is apt to refer to a place where bacteria lodge and multiply. Consequently, the extended use of nidus in English often has a negative connotation referring to a source of undesirable opinions or behaviors.
Synonyms
- breeding ground
- hotbed
- hothouse
- nest
- nursery
- seedbed
- seminary
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a type of contact lens that proved to be a nidus of infection
Recent Examples on the Web The indisputably desirable goal of supporting walking, biking and bus-riding around an Uptown nidus was severely wounded. 
Star Tribune, 30 Nov. 2020
Star Tribune, 30 Nov. 2020 Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin
First Known Use
1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
nidus
noun
ni·dus ˈnī-dəs
plural nidi -ˌdī or niduses
or niduses : a place where something originates or is fostered or develops
specifically : the point of origin or focus of an infection or disease process
nidus
noun
as in nest
a place or environment that favors the development of something a type of contact lens that proved to be a nidus of infection Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- nest
- center
- mecca
- nursery
- seedbed
- hotbed
- nucleus
- capital
- hothouse
- seminary
- hub
- crucible
- base
- breeding ground
- focus
- core
- heart
- cynosure
- focus
- seat
- eye
- headquarters