plexus

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin plexus (a twining, plaiting, braid).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈplɛk.səs/
    • (file)
    • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛksəs

Noun

plexus (plural plexuses or plexus or plexi)

  1. (anatomy) A network of anastomosing or interwoven nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels.
    Hyponyms: brachial plexus, cardiac plexus, celiac plexus, choroid plexus, Exner's plexus, internal carotid plexus, pelvic plexus, solar plexus, venous plexus
    • 1934, Henry Miller, Tropic of Cancer, Grove Press, published 1961:
      I have the sensation of being immersed in the very plexus of life, focal from whatever place, position or attitude I take my stance.
  2. An interwoven combination of parts or elements in a structure or system.
    1. (mathematics) The system of equations required for the complete expression of the relations which exist between a set of quantities.
      • 1866, Brande & C, A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art, page 935:
        Plexus (Lat.). The system of equations required for the complete expression of the relations which exist between a set of quantities.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

References

Anagrams

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Noun

plexus m (plural plexussen)

  1. plexus

French

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Noun

plexus m (uncountable)

  1. plexus

Further reading

Latin

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Perfect passive participle of plectō (to plait, braid, interweave).

Participle

plexus (feminine plexa, neuter plexum); first/second-declension participle

  1. perfect passive participle of plectō
  2. (pre-Classical) involved, intricate, entangled, ambiguous
Inflection

First/second-declension adjective.

Number Singular Plural
Case / Gender Masculine Feminine Neuter Masculine Feminine Neuter
Nominative plexus plexa plexum plexī plexae plexa
Genitive plexī plexae plexī plexōrum plexārum plexōrum
Dative plexō plexō plexīs
Accusative plexum plexam plexum plexōs plexās plexa
Ablative plexō plexā plexō plexīs
Vocative plexe plexa plexum plexī plexae plexa

Etymology 2

From plectō (to plait, braid, interweave) + -tus (action noun suffix).

Noun

plexus m (genitive plexūs); fourth declension

  1. (poetic) a twining, plaiting, braid
Inflection

Fourth-declension noun.

Case Singular Plural
Nominative plexus plexūs
Genitive plexūs plexuum
Dative plexuī plexibus
Accusative plexum plexūs
Ablative plexū plexibus
Vocative plexus plexūs
Descendants

References

  • plexus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • plexus in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.
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