At the time the Eighth Amendment was adopted, the Court noted, ``the word `fine' was understood to mean a payment to a sovereign as punishment for some offense.''\33\ The Eighth Amendment itself, as were antecedents of the Clause in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and in the English Bill of Rights of 1689, ``clearly was adopted with the particular intent of placing limits on the powers of the new government.''\34\ Therefore, while leaving open the issues of whether the Clause ...
A reserve of money set aside, especially for a specific purpose. Generally speaking, a nest egg refers to savings for a major expense, such as retirement. However, it may also refer to smaller expenses that nonetheless require savings. Examples of the latter include nest eggs for vacations or down payments for a house.
Definition of nest for English Language Learners. : the place where a bird lays its eggs and takes care of its young. : a place where an animal or insect lives and usually lays eggs or takes care of its young.