clerical collar

noun

1. a stiff, narrow, bandlike white collar fastened at the back of the neck, worn by certain clerics.

clerical collar

noun

1. a stiff white collar with no opening at the front that buttons at the back of the neck; the distinctive mark of the clergy in certain Churches Informal namedog collar

Word History and Origins

Origin of clerical collar¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Padre Goyo, with his clerical collar and his bulletproof vest, is an icon for those fighting drugs and corruption.

From The Daily Beast

The clerical collar may be singled out, as it fastens behind like the bands, though the reason for this is not at all obvious.

From Project Gutenberg

His waving, silvery hair was dripping blood, spotting with its red drops the white clerical collar.

From Project Gutenberg

And goes about with his own soap, and wears a thundering great clerical collar.

From Project Gutenberg

The long fingers pulled at the clerical collar as if they might tear it away.

From Project Gutenberg

He remembered, with hot ears and neck crimson above his clerical collar, that interview.

From Project Gutenberg