plexus

noun

plex·​us ˈplek-səs How to pronounce plexus (audio)
plural plexuses ˈplek-sə-səz How to pronounce plexus (audio)
1
: a network of anastomosing or interlacing blood vessels or nerves
2
: an interwoven combination of parts or elements in a structure or system

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The choroid plexus is a network of blood vessels that produce cerebrospinal fluid. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 Besides the dorsal cortex, researchers were able to grow, among other regions, parts of the ventral forebrain, which makes neurons that connect to the cortex, and the choroid plexus, which generates spinal fluid. Kat Mcgowan, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2014 The evil will not manage to break the thinnest threads of our national strong plexus of patterns which symbolize kindness, love and memory of kin. Max Bearak, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 There is a plexus of vessels under the forked tongue where the detomidine is absorbed. Karen Russell, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017 In fact, the suspension seems a bit on the soft side to me in that there’s more bounce after a major bump than a straight shot to the solar plexus. Mark Savage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2017 I was permanently transformed by it, socked from my solar plexus right down to my molecular makeup. Ann Hornaday, chicagotribune.com, 23 June 2017 In the eighth, Barthelemy threw a crushing right to the solar plexus that sent Relikh to his knees, and the Cuban seemed to be getting his moxie back. Bob Velin, USA TODAY, 21 May 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plexus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin plectere to braid — more at ply

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plexus was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near plexus

Cite this Entry

“Plexus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plexus. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

plexus

noun
plex·​us ˈplek-səs How to pronounce plexus (audio)
plural plexuses
: a network especially of blood vessels or nerves

Medical Definition

plexus

noun
plex·​us ˈplek-səs How to pronounce plexus (audio)
plural plexuses
: a network of anastomosing or interlacing blood vessels or nerves

More from Merriam-Webster on plexus

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