This noun designates a circular casting net thrown by hand, distinct from drag nets. In Matthew 4:18, Peter and Andrew were 'casting a net into the sea' using this equipment. Classical Greek used this term for nets thrown around something, including metaphorical nets or bonds. The multilingual evidence (Spanish 'red', French 'filet', German 'Netz') identifies fishing equipment. The casting net's technique required skill, as fishermen threw it in circular motion to spread over fish in shallow water before drawing it closed.