reticular

[ri-tik-yuh-ler]

adjective

1. having the form of a net; netlike.

2. intricate or entangled.

3. Anatomy.,  of or relating to a reticulum.

Other Word Forms

• reticularly adverb
• interreticular adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reticular¹

1590–1600; < New Latin rēticulāris, equivalent to Latin rēticul ( um ) reticle + -āris -ar ¹

Example Sentences

As adenosine accumulates throughout the day, it slows down excitatory networks such as the arousal-causing reticular activating system.

From Scientific American

An X-ray of Mr McHugh's lungs taken six weeks after he left hospital showed thin white lines, known as reticular shadowing, that could indicate the early signs of scarring or pulmonary fibrosis.

From BBC

Also, brain scans show that practicing gratitude can rewire our reticular activating system.

From Los Angeles Times

Drew, T. Functional organization within the medullary reticular formation of the intact unanesthetized cat.

From Nature

From there the neuron doctrine spread, replacing the prevailing reticular theory.

From New York Times

Related Words

• complicated 
• mystifying www.thesaurus.com
• perplexing 
• puzzling 
• sticky 
• thorny 
• tricky