neck

noun

1》 the part of a person's or animal's body connecting the head to the rest of the body.

2》 a narrow connecting or end participle

    ↘the part of a bottle or other container near the mouth.

    ↘a narrow piece of terrain or sea.

3》 the length of a horse's head and neck as a measure of its lead in a race.

4》 the part of a violin, guitar, or other instrument that bears the fingerboard.

5》 (usu. in phr. have the neck to do something) informal impudence or nerve.

6》 Geology a column of igneous rock occupying the site of a volcanic vent.

verb

1》 informal kiss and caress amorously.

2》 Brit. informal swallow (a drink).

3》 (often neck down) become narrow at a particular point when subjected to tension.

Phrases

get (or catch) it in the neck Brit. informal be severely criticized or punished.

neck and neck level in a race, competition, or comparison.

neck of the woods informal a particular area or locality.

up to one's neck in informal deeply or busily involved in.

Derivatives

-necked adjective

necker noun

neckless adjective

Origin

OE hnecca 'back of the neck', of Gmc origin.