neck

(nek)

noun

that part of a human or animal joining the head to the body, including the part of the backbone between the skull and the shoulders
a narrow part between the head, or end, and the body, or base, of any object: the neck of a violin, the neck of a goblet
that part of a garment which covers, encircles, or is nearest the neck
the narrowest part of any object, considered to be like a neck; specif.,
1. a narrow strip of land
2. the narrowest part of an organ: the neck of the uterus, the neck of a tooth
3. the narrowest or tapering part of a bottle, vase, etc.
4. a strait or channel
Geol. a vertical column of hardened igneous rock, formerly plugging a volcanic conduit and later exposed by erosion and weathering

Origin: ME nekke < OE hnecca, akin to Ger nacken < IE base *ken-, to bend, squeeze > nook, nut

transitive verb

intransitive verb

Slang to engage in such passionate behavior

Related Forms:

See neck in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders or trunk.
The part of a garment around or near the neck.
Anatomy
a. A narrow or constricted part of a structure, as of a bone or organ, that joins its parts; a cervix.
b. The part of a tooth between the crown and the root.
A relatively narrow elongation, projection, or connecting part: a neck of land; the neck of a flask.
Music The narrow part along which the strings of an instrument extend to the pegs.
Printing See beard.
Geology Solidified lava filling the vent of an extinct volcano.
The siphon of a bivalve mollusk, such as a clam.
A narrow margin: won by a neck.