English
net
Net comes from Old English net, nett, from Proto-Germanic *natją ‘net’, of uncertain origin.
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*natją‘net’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*nati‘net’reconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150net
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1611same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*natją‘net’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*nati‘net’reconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150net
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1611same form
Earliest quotation: 1611, The Holy Bible, London: […] Robert Barker: “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net…”
Linked words
through Middle English net ‘worthy, good, pure, fine, elegant’
Another origin of net
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ney-‘to shine’uncertain
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*nitos‘made bright’uncertain
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEniteō‘to shine’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEnitidus‘shining, polished, glittering’
- Vulgar Latinc. 100–700 CE*nittusreconstructed
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400net‘clean’
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400neit
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500net‘worthy, good, pure, fine, elegant’
- Englishtodaysame form
Another origin of net
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ney-‘to shine’uncertain
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*nitos‘made bright’uncertain
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEniteō‘to shine’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEnitidus‘shining, polished’
- Vulgar Latinc. 100–700 CE*nitidiāre‘make clear’reconstructed
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400noiier‘to clean’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400net‘clean (adj.)’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400netoiieras nettoier‘to clean’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600nettoyer‘to cleanse’
- Englishtodaynet
Today it means
noun A mesh of string, cord or rope.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Germanic *natją / net