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nerve net
noun
: a network of neurons apparently continuous with one another and conducting impulses in all directions
also
: a primitive nervous system (as in a jellyfish) consisting of such a network
Examples of nerve net in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Again, these groups are apparently more closely related to us than comb jellies, which have nerve nets and muscle cells.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 May 2023
To find out how this was controlled, the researchers dissected the central core of the jellyfish, which contains its digestive organs, and the bell, which contains much of the animal's nerve net.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Apr. 2023
Many cnidarians have sections of the nerve net with higher concentrations of neurons, but these don't seem to have been associated with any specific functions.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve net.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nerve net
Cite this Entry
“Nerve net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20net. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
nerve net
noun
: a network of neurons that seem to be continuous one with another and carry impulses in all directions
also
: a nervous system (as in a jellyfish) consisting of such a network
More from Merriam-Webster on nerve net
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nerve net
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