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

The leader of one of South Korea's largest cult-like churches stood trial on Monday accused of bribing the country's former first lady with gifts including a designer handbag and a diamond necklace.

From Barron's

The monetary value of the missing necklaces and crown has been estimated at $100 million.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of the stolen items - a crown - was dropped during the escape but eight other items of jewellery - including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise - were taken.

From BBC

Last year, someone dropped off a set of Tiffany jewelry at Goodwill’s Parkersburg, W.Va., store, including a ring, bracelet and necklace.

From The Wall Street Journal

It moved from the famous pastel hotel facades of Miami's South Beach to the sprawling necklace of mansion apartments along Mumbai's Marine Drive seafront.

From BBC

Related Words

• choker
• jewelry
• pendant
• strand