half nelson

noun

Wrestling.

1. a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck.

half-nelson

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler places an arm under one of his opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with his palm on the back of his opponent's neck Compare full nelson

Word History and Origins

Origin of half nelson¹

First recorded in 1885–90