net

¹net

noun \ˈnet\

Definition of NET

1

a : an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals

b : something made of net: as (1) : a device for catching fish, birds, or insects (2) : a fabric barricade which divides a court in half (as in tennis or volleyball) and over which a ball or shuttlecock must be hit to be in play (3) : the fabric that encloses the sides and back of the goal in various games (as soccer or hockey)

2

: an entrapping device or situation <caught in the net of suspicious circumstances>

3

: something resembling a net in reticulation (as of lines, fibers, or figures)

4

a : a group of communications stations operating under unified control

b : network 4

5

often capitalized : internet

— net·less \-ləs\ adjective

— net·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— net·ty \ˈne-tē\ adjective

Origin of NET

Middle English nett, from Old English; akin to Old High German nezzi net

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with NET

bet, debt, fret, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, pet, ret, set, stet, sweat, Tet, threat, vet, wet, whet, yet

²net

transitive verb

net·tednet·ting

Definition of NET

1

: to cover or enclose with or as if with a net

2

: to catch in or as if in a net

3

: to cover with or as if with a network

4

a : to hit (a ball) into the net for the loss of a point in a racket game

b : to hit (a ball or puck) into the goal for a score (as in hockey or soccer); also : to score (a point or goal) by netting a ball or puck

— net·ter noun

First Known Use of NET

1593

³net

adjective

Definition of NET

1

: free from all charges or deductions: as

a : remaining after the deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss <net earnings> <net worth> — compare gross

b : excluding all tare <net weight>

2

: excluding all nonessential considerations : basic, final <the net result> <net effect>

Examples of NET

1. The net result of the new bridge will be fewer traffic jams.

Origin of NET

Middle English, clean, pure, from Anglo-French — more at neat

First Known Use: 15th century

⁴net

transitive verb

net·tednet·ting

Definition of NET

1

a : to receive by way of profit : clear

b : to produce by way of profit : yield

2

: to get possession of : gain

First Known Use of NET

1758

⁵net

noun

Definition of NET

1

: a net amount, profit, weight, or price

2

: the score of a golfer in a handicap match after deducting his or her handicap from the gross score

3

: essence, gist

First Known Use of NET

circa 1904

net

noun \ˈnet\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NET

: network <in the portal system, blood passes through two capillary nets—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu>