necklace English · revision 15497

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1577}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnɛklɪs/, /ˈnɛkləs/ ''(UK)''; /ˈnɛkləs/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|neck|lace]], lace in the sense of a cord or string.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An ornament of jewels, beads or metal worn round the neck: about 1590 in the OED, the 1580s in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1577.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A ribbon or tie for the neck is from 1697,^(OED 1989) and in transferred use a noose or halter from before 1616.^(OED 1989) The verb, to form into a necklace, is from 1702.^(OED 1989) In South Africa from 1985 the necklace was a form of lynching with a burning petrol-soaked tyre round the victim's neck.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1577 – necklace (Merriam-Webster).^(MWU 2024)

+ * c. 1590 – a neck ornament.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1616 – a noose.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1985 – necklacing (South Africa).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A chain or string of beads, jewels or the like worn round the neck as an ornament.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something resembling this in shape.^(AHD)

+ # ''(South Africa)'' A tyre soaked in petrol, placed round a person's neck and set on fire.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(South Africa)'' To kill in this way.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[neck]]

+ * [[lace]]

+ * [[pendant]]

+ * [[choker]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}