necklace

American  

[nek-lis] / ˈnɛk lɪs /

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.

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necklace British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of necklace

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

Example Sentences

She reaches for her necklace, rubbing the sea turtle pendant.

From Literature

It joins a family of facial afflictions that also includes “necklace lines,” “Crows’ feet” and “elevens”—the wrinkles between the eyebrows.

From The Wall Street Journal

He found a woman’s treasured necklace—with three treasured rings strung on it—two days after she lost it while swimming.

From The Wall Street Journal

On his chest he wore a magnificent necklace of red deer teeth.

From Literature

James and I hung back at another counter, which was full of jeweled headpieces and long necklaces.

From Literature

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand