net

net¹ / net/ • n. 1. a length of open-meshed material made of twine, cord, rope, or something similar, used typically for catching fish or other animals. ∎  a piece of such material supported by a frame at the end of a handle, used typically for catching fish or other aquatic animals or insects. ∎  a length of such material supported on a frame and forming part of the goal in various games such as soccer and hockey: he turned Wilson's cross into the net. ∎  a length of such material supported on a cord between two posts to divide the playing area in various games such as tennis, badminton, and volleyball. ∎  a safety net: he felt like a tightrope-walker without a net. ∎  a hairnet. 2. a fine fabric with a very open weave: [as adj.] net curtains. 3. fig. a system or procedure for catching or entrapping someone; a trap: the search was delayed, allowing the murderers to escape the net. ∎  a system or procedure for selecting or recruiting someone: he spread his net far and wide in his search for success. 4. a network, in particular: ∎  a communications or broadcasting network: the radio net was brought to life with a mayday. ∎  a network of interconnected computers: a computer news net. ∎  (the Net) the Internet. • v. (net·ted , net·ting ) [tr.] 1. catch or land (a fish or other animal) with a net. ∎  fish with nets in (a river): he has netted the creeks and found them clogged with fish. ∎ fig. acquire or obtain as if with a net: customs officials have netted large caches of drugs. 2. (in sports) hit or kick (a ball or puck) into the net; score (a goal): in six years Wright has netted 177 goals | [intr.] Aldridge netted twice. 3. cover with a net: we fenced off a rabbit-proof area for vegetables and netted the top. DERIVATIVES: net·ful / -ˌfoŏl/ n. (pl. -fuls) . net·like / -ˌlīk/ adj. net² • adj. 1. (of an amount, value, or price) remaining after a deduction, such as tax or a discount, has been made: net earnings per share rose | the net worth of the business.Often contrasted with gross (sense 2). ∎  (of a price) to be paid in full; not reducible. ∎  (of a weight) excluding that of the packaging or container. ∎  (of a score in golf) adjusted to take account of a player's handicap. 2. (of an effect or result) final or overall: the net result is the same. • v. (net·ted , net·ting ) [tr.] acquire or obtain (a sum of money) as clear profit: they sold their 20% stake, netting a huge profit in the process. ∎  return (profit or income) for (someone): the land netted its owner a turnover of $800,000. ∎  (net something down/off/out) exclude a nonnet amount, such as tax, when making a calculation, in order to reduce the amount left to a net sum: the scrap or salvage value should be netted off against the original purchase price. ∎  get; obtain: the Bills netted 5,276 yards of offense.