node
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a device, like a computer or printer, that is connected to a larger network.
any device or terminal connected to a network that can receive, create, or transmit data.
Simple“Each node in the office network must have its own security software installed.”
In context“The network administrator identified a faulty node that was causing significant latency across the entire local area network.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a single point or piece of information in a digital map or tree structure.
a fundamental unit of a data structure, such as a linked list or tree, containing data and references to other units.
Simple“The program searches through each node of the family tree to find a match.”
In context“The algorithm efficiently traverses the binary tree by visiting each node and evaluating its child references.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
the part of a plant stem where a leaf or a new branch grows.
the specific point on a plant stem from which one or more leaves, branches, or aerial roots emerge.
Simple“Make sure to cut the plant just below the node to help it grow new roots.”
In context“The distance between each node on the vine increased significantly once the plant was moved into a brighter environment.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
a point on a vibrating string or wave where there is no movement at all.
a point along a standing wave where the wave has minimum amplitude or zero displacement.
Simple“If you touch a vibrating guitar string at a node, the sound changes but the string stays still at that spot.”
In context“In a standing wave pattern, the nodes remain stationary while the antinodes reach maximum displacement.”
Synonymsstationary pointAntonymsantinode - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
a small, rounded mass of tissue in the body, like a lymph node.
a small, distinct structural swelling or mass of differentiated tissue in the body.
Simple“The doctor checked the nodes in my neck to see if I had an infection.”
In context“The biopsy revealed that the node was benign, much to the relief of the patient and the surgical team.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
the point where the path of a planet crosses the path of the sun.
either of the two points where the orbit of a celestial body intersects the ecliptic or another reference plane.
Simple“An eclipse can only happen when the moon is near a node in its orbit.”
In context“The calculation of the ascending node is essential for determining the precise orbital elements of a newly discovered comet.”
Synonyms
“Zheng comes from a background in studying metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) , which are built with metal ions as nodes and organic blocks as linkers.”
“The project’s other aim is to create a node for seed distribution for farmers who need to save every possible penny.”
From Middle English node, borrowed from Latin nōdus. Doublet of knot, knout, and nodus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.