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Showing results for life net. Search instead for life+net.
Synonyms

life net

American  

noun

  1. a strong net or the like held by firefighters or others to catch persons jumping from a burning building.


Etymology

Origin of life net

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A daring young man, he dived for an A.M.G. life net, later sported a U.S. uniform while his old pals were marched off to jail.

From Time Magazine Archive

But the day his testimony ended, he sent one of his attorneys scuttling off to court to prepare a legal life net to jump into.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had made a hit—a big hit, for the applause kept up after he had dropped to the life net.

From Joe Strong on the Trapeze or The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer by Barnum, Vance

He jumped out of the open third story window, horrifying the class, until they learned he'd rigged a canvas life net on the floor below.

From This is Klon Calling by Sheldon, Walter J.

At last, however, he made his final swing, and dropped down into the life net amid the plaudits of the crowd.

From Joe Strong, the Boy Fish or Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank by Barnum, Vance