Word of the week
Learn a new word every week...
This week’s word
network /ˈnetˌwərk/
noun
1 an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.
• a complex system of roads, railroads, or other transportation routes: a network of railroads.
2 a group or system of interconnected people or things: a trade network.
• a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes: a support network.
• a group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a program: the introduction of a second TV network | [ as modifier ] : network television.
• a number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations: specialized computers that manage multiple outside connections to a network | a local cellular phone network.
• a system of connected electrical conductors.
verb [ with obj. ]
connect as or operate with a network: the stock exchanges have proven to be resourceful in networking these deals.
• link (machines, esp. computers) to operate interactively: (as adj. networked) : networked workstations.
• [ no obj. ] (often as noun networking) interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, esp. to further one's career: the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation.
DERIVATIVES
networkable adjective
network
noun
1 a network of arteries: web, lattice, net, matrix, mesh, crisscross, grid, reticulum, reticulation; Anatomy plexus.
2 a network of lanes: maze, labyrinth, warren, tangle.
3 a network of friends: system, complex, nexus, web, webwork.
Last week’s word
extend /ɪkˈstend/
verb [ with obj. ]
1 cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider: the Forest Service plans to extend a gravel road nearly a mile.
• cause to last longer: high schools may consider extending the class day to seven periods.
• postpone (a starting or ending time) beyond the original limit: he extended the deadline to 4 p.m. today.
• straighten or spread out (the body or a limb) at full length: she is unable to extend her thumb.
• [ no obj. ] spread from a central point to cover a wider area: the pipeline currently extends 1,200 miles from Santa Barbara.
• [ no obj. ] occupy a specified area or stretch to a specified point: the mountains extend over the western end of the island | a fault that may extend to a depth of 12 miles.
• [ no obj. ] (extend to) include within one's scope; be applicable to: her generosity did not extend to all adults.
2 hold (something) out toward someone: I nod and extend my hand.
• offer or make available: she extended an invitation to her to stay | I can't extend credit indefinitely.
3 (extend oneself) exert or exercise oneself to the utmost: you have to extend yourself to change rather than keep on doing the same thing.
ORIGIN late Middle English: from Latin extendere ‘stretch out,’ from ex- ‘out’ + tendere ‘stretch.’
extend
verb
1 he attempted to extend his dominions: expand, enlarge, increase, make larger, make bigger; lengthen, widen, broaden. ANTONYMS reduce, shrink.
2 the garden extends down to the road: continue, carry on, run on, stretch (out), reach, lead.
3 we have extended our range of services: widen, expand, broaden; augment, supplement, increase, add to, enhance, develop. ANTONYMS narrow.
4 extending the life of the charter: prolong, lengthen, increase; stretch out, protract, spin out, string out. ANTONYMS shorten.
5 extend your arms and legs: stretch out, spread out, reach out, straighten out.
6 he extended a hand in greeting: hold out, reach out, hold forth; offer, give, outstretch, proffer.
7 we wish to extend our thanks to Mr. Bayes: offer, proffer, give, grant, bestow, accord.
PHRASES
extend to her tolerance did not always extend to her staff: include, take in, incorporate, encompass.