carcanet

[ kahr-kuh-net, -nit ]

noun

1. a woman's ornamental circlet for the hair, often of gold decorated with jewels or pearls.

carcanet

/ ˈkɑːkəˌnɛt; -nɪt /

noun

1. archaic.
   a jewelled collar or necklace

Word History and Origins

Origin of carcanet¹

1520–30; carcan choker < Middle French, equivalent to carc- throat (< Germanic ) + -an ring (< Latin ānus ) + -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of carcanet¹

C16: from French carcan, of Germanic origin; compare Old Norse kverkband chin strap

Example Sentences

Over his clustering hair he wore a carcanet of diamonds, surmounted by the precious plumage of the bird of Paradise.

From Project Gutenberg

Carcanet, the diminutive of carcan, a chain;—it means a necklace.

From Project Gutenberg

And sodaynly caught hir by the hayre of the head, and in steade of a Carcanet placed a roape about her necke.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowadays they have restored the carcanet and kept the rivière as well, both terms being in common use.

From Project Gutenberg

Each one wore an iron carcanet, and the crowd was never weary of coming to gaze at them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand