Neck /(nĕk)/

Neck

n.
  1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many other animals, is more slender than the trunk.
  2. Any part of an inanimate object corresponding to or resembling the neck of an animal (Mus.)
  3. A reduction in size near the end of an object, formed by a groove around it; as, a neck forming the journal of a shaft. (Mech.)
  4. the point where the base of the stem of a plant arises from the root. (Bot.)
    These words, “bread and cheese,” were their neck verse or shibboleth to distinguish them; all pronouncing “broad and cause,” being presently put to death.

Phrases & Compounds
Neck and crop
completely; wholly; altogether; roughly and at once.
Neck and neck
so nearly equal that one cannot be said to be before the other; very close; even; side by side.
Neck of a capital
See Gorgerin.
Neck of a cascabel
the part joining the knob to the base of the breech.
Neck of a gun
the small part of the piece between the chase and the swell of the muzzle.
Neck of a tooth
the constriction between the root and the crown.
Neck or nothing
at all risks.
Neck verse
The verse formerly read to entitle a party to the benefit of clergy, said to be the first verse of the fifty-first Psalm, “Miserere mei,” etc.
Neck yoke
A bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harnesses.
On the neck of
immediately after; following closely; on the heel of.
Stiff neck
obstinacy in evil or wrong; inflexible obstinacy; contumacy.
To break the neck of
to destroy the main force of; to break the back of.
To harden the neck
to grow obstinate; to be more and more perverse and rebellious.
To tread on the neck of
to oppress; to tyrannize over.

Neck

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Necked; p. pr. & vb. n. Necking

  1. To reduce the diameter of (an object) near its end, by making a groove around it; -- used with down; as, to neck down a shaft. (Mech.)

neck

v. i.
  1. To kiss and caress amorously. [Colloq.]