nek n. & v. --n. 1 a
the part of the
body connecting the
head to the shoulders. b the part of a
shirt,
dress, etc.
round or close to the neck. 2 a
something resembling a neck,
such as the
narrow part of a
cavity or
vessel, a passage, channel, pass,
isthmus, etc. b the narrow part of a
bottle near the
mouth. 3 the part of a
violin etc.
bearing the finger-board. 4 the
length of a horse's head
and neck as a
measure of
its lead in a race. 5 the
flesh of an animal's neck (neck of lamb). 6 Geol. solidified
lava or
igneous rock in an
old volcano crater or
pipe. 7 Archit. the lower part of a capital. 8 sl. impudence (you've
got a neck, asking that). --v. 1 intr. & tr. colloq.
kiss and
caress amorously. 2 a tr.
form a narrowed part
in. b intr. form a narrowed part. øget it in the neck colloq. 1
receive a
severe reprimand or
punishment. 2
suffer a
fatal or severe blow. neck and neck
running level in a race etc. neck of the woods colloq. a usu.
remote locality. neck or
nothing risking
everything on
success. up to one's neck (often foll. by in) colloq.
very deeply involved; very
busy. øønecked adj. (also in comb.). necker n. (in
sense 1 of v.). neckless adj. [OE hnecca ult. f. Gmc]
