gooseneck

[ goos-nek ]

noun

1. a curved object resembling the neck of a goose, often of flexible construction, as in the shaft of a gooseneck lamp.
2. Nautical. a curved piece at the foot of a boom, attached to a mast by a vertical pivot and itself having a horizontal pivot so that the boom can be pointed in a wide angle vertically or horizontally.
3. Carpentry. a vertical continuation of the handrail of a flight of stairs, terminating in a short horizontal part on the top of a newel post.

gooseneck

/ ˈɡuːsˌnɛk /

noun

1. nautical a pivot between the forward end of a boom and a mast, to allow the boom to swing freely
2. something in the form of a neck of a goose

Derived Forms

• ˈgooseˌnecked, adjective

Other Words From

• goosenecked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gooseneck¹

First recorded in 1680–90; goose + neck

Example Sentences

Over the past 45 years, officials have found only five lead goosenecks.

From Seattle Times

I have a homework desk with a gooseneck lamp; a collection of cute, pastel-colored pens from Japan; and a tiny potted cactus.

From Literature

Standing at the helm of the 100-year-old “rose engine,” he peered through a microscope at a small, square slab of German silver illuminated by a gooseneck lamp.

From Los Angeles Times

The organisms include anemones and pelagic gooseneck barnacles.

From Washington Times

The three dishes praised were the braised tripe with morels and mora peppers, the gooseneck barnacles with charred scallion aioli, and the fried pig head with preserved cherries and Walla Walla onions.

From Seattle Times