necklace

[ nek-lis ]

noun

1. a piece of jewelry consisting of a string of stones, beads, jewels, or the like, or a chain of gold, silver, or other metal, for wearing around the neck.

necklace

/ ˈnɛklɪs /

noun

1. a chain, band, or cord, often bearing beads, pearls, jewels, etc, worn around the neck as an ornament, esp by women
2. (in South Africa) a tyre soaked in petrol, placed round a person's neck, and set on fire in order to burn the person to death

verb

1. tr to kill (someone) by placing a burning tyre round his or her neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of necklace¹

1580–90; neck + lace (in the sense “a cord or string to pull opposite ends together”)

Example Sentences

The necklace was previously worn by the Marquess of Anglesey at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, and it was also worn 16 years earlier at King George VI's crowning.

From BBC

It is believed some of the jewels in the necklace sold on Wednesday were the original ones at the centre of the "affair of the diamond necklace" scandal in the 1780s, that may have hastened Marie Antoinette's demise.

From BBC

Some experts say the age and quality of the diamonds in the necklace sold on Wednesday point to a match with the originals.

From BBC

Jeanne de la Motte, a noblewoman fallen on hard times, pretended to be French Queen and tricked a cardinal into giving her the necklace, without paying.

From BBC

It cited examples such as a three-piece razor set and an "elegant necklace, bracelet, and earring set" available at just under three dollars each in a press release about the launch.

From BBC

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand