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neck Definition

neck (nek)

noun

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. that part of a garment which covers, encircles, or is nearest the neck
  4. 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
  5. Geol. a vertical column of hardened igneous rock, formerly plugging a volcanic conduit and later exposed by erosion and weathering

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

transitive verb

  1. to kill (a fowl) by twisting its neck
  2. ☆ Slang to hug, kiss, and caress passionately

intransitive verb

Slang to engage in such passionate behavior

neck Related Forms

neck′er noun

neck Idioms

break one's neck

Informal to try very hard

get it in the neck

☆

Slang to be severely reprimanded or punished

neck and crop

completely; entirely

neck and neck

so close together in a race or contest that the outcome hangs in the balance

neck of the woods

☆ a region or locality not from this neck of the woods

risk one's neck

to put one's life, career, reputation, etc. in danger

stick one's neck out

to expose oneself to possible failure, ridicule, loss, etc. by taking a chance

win (or lose) by a neck

  1. Horse Racing to win (or lose) by the length of a horse's head and neck
  2. to win (or lose) any contest by a narrow margin

neck Synonyms

neck

n.

  1. The juncture of the head and the trunk

    cervix, cervical vertebrae, nape, scruff; see throat.

  2. The part of a dress at the neck

    neckband, neckline, collar line; see collar.

get it in the neck*

be punished, be discharged, undergo; see suffer 1.

risk one's neck

endanger oneself, gamble, take a chance; see risk.

stick one's neck out*

endanger oneself, take a chance, gamble; see risk.

by a neck

by a close margin, barely, by a hair, by a nose.

neck* Synonyms

neck*

v.

kiss, make out*, pet*, smooch*, make love.

neck Usage Examples

Converse of object

wring: He has the grip of a man who's used to wringing the necks of wounded game birds.

Adjective modifier

  • femoral: For men, the same range is from 20.5 % by BUA to 44.1 % by BMD at the femoral neck.
  • stiff: Finally, I hope you never suffer from any more stiff necks.
  • fractured: I did not find any clinical evidence of a fractured neck of femur.
  • slender: The female has a longer, more slender neck.
  • n0: Abstract BACKGROUND: Sentinel node biopsy ( SNB ) is a new technique in staging the clinically N0 neck.

Modifies a noun

  • dissection: The reason for a functional neck dissection is to remove cancerous lymph glands in the neck.
  • strap: I was only able to use mine with a belt clip and neck strap, but both of those worked very well.
  • sweater: This V neck sweater has another Fair isle design knitted in 5 shades of Forsell Shamal.
  • pain: In some cases, neck pain can be a symptom of head injury or disk trouble in the neck.
  • collar: For spinal injuries the vacuum mattress is tending to replace spinal boards, and rigid neck collars are commonly used.

Noun used with modifier

  • polo: One design has a simple round neck and the other has a cozy polo neck.
  • maple: Fender offers a choice of a one-piece maple neck with combined fingerboard or, maple neck with rosewood board.
  • swan: Swan neck This is a short flexible mount with a conventional tungsten bulb.
  • halter: RRP £ 24.99 | Our Price £ 19.77 A stunning black floral design halter neck lingerie body stocking with crutch openings for easy access!
  • bladder: Make sure the catheter tubing is slack and is not dragging on the patient's bladder neck.

Preposition: of

  • femur: He had seen cases of impacted neck of femur where patients had been able to walk.
  • womb: It is often referred to the neck of the womb or the entrance to the womb.
  • humerus: Fracture of the neck of the humerus is usually treated with a sling or shoulder immobilizer.

Preposition: with

fingerboard: Fender offers a choice of a one-piece maple neck with combined fingerboard or, maple neck with rosewood board.