neck

[ nek ]

noun

1. the part of the body of an animal or human being that connects the head and the trunk.
2. the part of a garment encircling, partly covering, or closest to the neck; neckline.
3. the length of the neck of a horse or other animal as a measure in racing.
4. the slender part near the top of a bottle, vase, or similar object.
5. any narrow, connecting, or projecting part suggesting the neck of an animal.
6. a narrow strip of land, as an isthmus or a cape.
7. a strait.
8. the longer and more slender part of a violin or similar stringed instrument, extending from the body to the head.
9. Building Trades, Machinery. the part on a shank of a bolt next to the head, especially when it has a special form.
10. Anatomy. a narrowed part of a bone, organ, or the like.
11. Dentistry. the slightly narrowed region of a tooth between the crown and the root.
12. Printing. beard ( def 5 ).
13. Architecture. a cylindrical continuation of the shaft of a column above the lower astragal of the capital, as in the Roman Doric and Tuscan orders.
14. Also called volcanic neck. Geology. the solidified lava or igneous rock filling a conduit leading either to a vent of an extinct volcano or to a laccolith.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. (of two persons) to embrace, kiss, and caress one another amorously.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to embrace, kiss, and caress (someone) amorously.
2. to strangle or behead.

neck

/ nɛk /

noun

1. the part of an organism connecting the head with the rest of the body cervicaljugular
2. the part of a garment around or nearest the neck
3. something resembling a neck in shape or position

   the neck of a bottle

4. anatomy a constricted portion of an organ or part, such as the cervix of the uterus
5. a narrow or elongated projecting strip of land; a peninsula or isthmus
6. a strait or channel
7. the part of a violin, cello, etc, that extends from the body to the tuning pegs and supports the fingerboard
8. a solid block of lava from the opening of an extinct volcano, exposed after erosion of the surrounding rock
9. botany the upper, usually tubular, part of the archegonium of mosses, ferns, etc
10. the length of a horse's head and neck taken as an approximate distance by which one horse beats another in a race

    to win by a neck

11. informal.
    a short distance, amount, or margin

    he is always a neck ahead in new techniques

12. informal.
    impudence; audacity

    he had the neck to ask for a rise

13. architect the narrow band at the top of the shaft of a column between the necking and the capital, esp as used in the Tuscan order
14. another name for beard, on printer's type
15. break one's neck informal.
    to exert oneself greatly, esp by hurrying, in order to do something
16. by the neck slang.
    (of a bottle of beer) served unpoured

    give me two bottles of stout by the neck

17. get it in the neck informal.
    to be reprimanded or punished severely
18. neck and neck
    absolutely level or even in a race or competition
19. neck of the woods informal.
    an area or locality

    a quiet neck of the woods

20. risk one's neck
    to take a great risk
21. informal.
    1. to escape from a difficult or dangerous situation
    2. to help someone else escape from such a situation
22. stick one's neck out informal.
    to risk criticism, ridicule, failure, etc, by speaking one's mind
23. up to one's neck in
    deeply involved in

    he's up to his neck in dodgy dealings

verb

1. informal.
   intr to kiss, embrace, or fondle someone or one another passionately
2. informal.
   tr to swallow (something, esp a drink)

   he's been necking pints all night

Derived Forms

• ˈnecker, noun

Other Words From

• necker noun
• neckless adjective
• necklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neck¹

before 900; Middle English nekke, Old English hnecca, cognate with Dutch nek nape of neck; akin to German Nacken, Old Norse hnakki nape of neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of neck¹

Old English hnecca; related to Old High German hnack, Old Irish cnocc hill

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be up to one's neck, Informal. to have a surfeit; be overburdened:

   Right now she's up to her neck in work.

2. break one's neck, Informal. to make a great effort:

   We broke our necks to get there on time.

3. get it in the neck, Slang.
   1. to suffer punishment or loss:

      The trend is to consolidation and small businesses are getting it in the neck.

   2. to be rejected or dismissed:

      The employees got it in the neck when the company moved overseas.

   3. to be sharply reprimanded or scolded.
4. neck and neck, even or very close; indeterminate as to the outcome:

   They were coming toward the finish line neck and neck.

5. neck of the woods, Informal. neighborhood, area, or vicinity:

   Next time you're in this neck of the woods, drop in.

6. stick one's neck out, Informal. to expose oneself to danger, disaster, failure, disgrace, etc.; take a risk:

   He stuck his neck out by supporting an unpopular candidate.

7. win by a neck,
   1. to win by a small amount or narrow margin.
   2. Racing. to be first by a head and neck; finish closely.

More idioms and phrases containing neck

• albatross around one's neck
• break one's back (neck)
• breathe down someone's neck
• dead from the neck up
• millstone around one's neck
• pain in the neck
• risk life and limb (one's neck)
• save someone's bacon (neck)
• stick one's neck out
• up to one's ears (neck)

Example Sentences

A woman whose cancer has spread to her bones, back, pelvis and neck but has been denied a life-extending drug because she lives in Wales says she "wants a chance to live".

From BBC

Others, some publicly, some privately, are irritated with Streeting and think he ought to wind his neck in a bit.

From BBC

He was left with a broken jaw, missing teeth, 15 small punctures and two deep lacerations on his cheek and neck, which the 33-year-old said could scar.

From BBC

He appeared relaxed, wrapping a white scarf around his neck and reclining with legs crossed and a hot mug of coffee.

From Salon

Mr Bush sustained a total of 37 stab wounds, which included 13 to the front and side of his neck, eight to the back of his neck, seven to the front of his trunk and eight to the back of his trunk.

From BBC

Related Words

• collar