nexus
/'neksəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A central or focal point; a connected series or group: A nexus is a central link or connection that ties together a series of things, ideas, or events. It represents the core where different elements converge or are interconnected. 2. The means of connection between linked things: It refers to the bond, link, or tie itself that creates a relationship within a series.
Examples
- As a central connecting point:
- The city's main square is the nexus of all cultural and social activity.
- The internet has become the primary nexus for global communication and information exchange.
- As a connection or series of connections:
- The detective tried to understand the nexus between the victim and the three suspects.
- The book explores the complex nexus of power, money, and politics.
Advanced Usage
- "Causal nexus": A specific term used in philosophy, law, and science to describe a chain or relationship of cause and effect.
- The study aimed to prove the causal nexus between smoking and lung disease.
Variants and Related Words
- Nexuses (plural): The standard plural form.
- Several communication nexuses were established across the region.
- Nexus can also function attributively (like an adjective) in compound nouns, though these are considered separate terms:
- Nexus point: A specific point of connection or convergence.
Synonyms
- Center: The middle point or main focus.
- Core: The central or most important part.
- Hub: A central point of activity or connection (often for transport or networks).
- Link: A relationship or connection between things.
- Connection: A relationship in which something is linked or associated.
Related Phrases
- At the nexus of: Used to describe being at the central connecting point of different elements.
- She found herself at the nexus of a major international negotiation.
Notes on Meaning
The word nexus emphasizes a meaningful or structural connection, not just a simple, single link. It often implies a network or a web of relationships where the connected parts influence each other. It is a more formal term than "link" or "connection."
Noun
- a connected series or group
- the means of connection between things linked in series