- net
- I
[[t]nɛt[/t]]n. v. net•ted, net•ting1) tex a fabric consisting of a uniform open mesh made by weaving, twisting, knotting, crocheting, etc2) a bag or other contrivance of such fabric, for catching fish or other animals:a butterfly net[/ex]3) a piece of meshed fabric designed for a specific purpose, as to divide a court in racket games or to protect against insects4) anything serving to catch or ensnare5) hair net6) (in racket games) a ball that hits the net7) spo the goal in hockey or lacrosse8) any network of filaments, lines, veins, or the like9) tgp a computer or telecommunications network10) cmp the Net, the Internet11) inf a broadcasting network12) to cover, screen, or enclose with a net or netting13) to take with a net:to net fish[/ex]14) to set or use nets in (a river, stream, etc.)15) to catch or ensnare:to net a criminal[/ex]16) spo (in racket games) to hit (the ball) into the net•Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE net(t) (n.); c. OFris, D, ON net, OSnet(ti), OHGnezzi(GNetz), Go nati net′ta•ble, adj. net′like`, adj. IInet[[t]nɛt[/t]] adj. n. v. net•ted, net•ting1) remaining after deductions, as for expenses (opposed togross 1)):net earnings[/ex]2) sold at a stated price with all parts and charges included and with all deductions having been made3) final; totally conclusive:the net result[/ex]4) (of weight) after deduction of tare, tret, or both5) net income, profit, etc(opposed to gross 12)).6) to gain or produce as clear profit•Etymology: 1400–50; < MFnet(masc.), nette(fem.), lit., clean, pure
From formal English to slang. 2014.