Net (device)
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A net, in its primary meaning, comprises fibers woven in a grid-like structure. It blocks the passage of large items, while letting small items and fluids pass. It requires less material than something sheet-like, and allows seeing through.
Examples are fishing nets, butterfly nets, cricket nets, or nets used in sporting goals in games such as soccer, basketball, Bossaball and ice hockey.
The adjectives reticulated and retiary both mean "net-like".
Most of the other meanings of the term are by analogy with the use above.
Safety net is also used figuratively, see e.g. social safety net.