neckerchief 
neckerchief (nek'er-ehii'>, . [< late MK. mi: 
l:i/rcluj'i : conlr. nf iiccl;-l.ci--lmf.\ A kerchief 
for the neck. 
Thry Imil ni:iMtl'S of Mi-;uli-t linri'.l, iili'l run ir m uitlr 
Inn! Ic'tticc nliiiiii I In' ni'i'ki- likr ;i no* rrliiff. 
Xtiiti; Ik'ii. VIII., an. 1533. 
neck-guard (nek'giird), . An attachment to 
a hi'lnict serving to protect the neck. See 
cantail and cnnn-c-ii in/in , and cut under urnn I. 
neck-hackle (nek'hak'l), . A feather from 
t lie neck of the domestic fowl, particularly such 
a feather from the cock bird, used by anglers 
in t lie manufacture of artificial flics; a hackle- 
IVather: distinguished from sii<lilli--lnn-l,-/i-. 
though the feat hers are of much the same char- 
acter. 
neck-handkerchief (nek'hang'ker-chif), . A 
neckerchief; a cravat. 
Open the top drawer of the wardrobe, and take out a 
clean shirt and iieck-handkerfliii.i . 
llrnt<, Jane Eyre, xx. 
M 
tal; a similar feature at tin' union nf a finial 
with a pii:micli : a form of necking. See cats 
under cti/>itul ami tin ml. 
neekherringt, [MM. iieckclierriiiii, mlln 'I'l/iii/i : 
< neck + 'herring, "lui-i/iKjc. perhaps for liery- 
iinj, licrryiii;/, verbal n. of herri/%, praise, honor; 
being thus lit. an honor bestowed (by a blow) 
on the neck: see iicrnlatie.'] The accolade used 
in dubbing. 
Then with an shout the Cadgear thus can say, 
"Abide and thou ane yecke-IJerriny shall hane 
Is worth my Cnplll, creilles and all the laue." 
Hcnruxon, Moral Fables (quoted In Cath. Aug., p. _'."< I , note). 
necking (nek'ing), H. [< neck + -ing 1 .] 1. 
In ami., the hypophyge or moldings often in- 
tervening between the projecting part of the 
capital of a column and the vertical part or 
shaft, as the annulets of the Doric capital : of- 
ten used as a synonym of neck, though strict- 
ly a column may have a neck, but no necking. 
See cuts under capital and column. 2. A neck- 
handkerchief or necktie. Halliwell. [Prov. 
EM.] 
neckinger (nek'in-jer), H. [< necking + -er 1 .] 
A neck-handkerchief, specifically that worn by 
women in the eighteenth century. 
necking-stroke! (uek'ing-strok;, . A blow 
which decapitates. 
The plot had a fatal neckiitg-stroke at that execution. 
ttoyer North, Exameii, p. 220. (Davieg.) 
neck-kerchief, . See neckerchief. 
necklace (nek'las), n. [< neck + lace.~\ 1. Any 
flexible ornament worn round the neck, as one 
of shells, coins, beads, or flowers. 
My wife . . . hath pitched upon a necklace with three 
rows [of pearls L which is a very Rood one, and no is the 
price. repys, Diary, April 30, Itifift. 
2. A band or tie for the neck, of lace, silk, or 
the like, worn by women. 
A plain muslin tucker I put on, and my black silk neck- 
lace instead of the French necklace my lady Rave me. 
Kicharttsiin, 1'amela, I. 1. 04. (Dames.) 
3. A noose or halter. [Slang.] 
What are these fellows? what s the crime committed, 
That they wear necklaces? Fletcher, Bouduca, 11. 3. 
4t. Xaut. , a chain about a lower mast, to which 
the fiittock-shrouds were formerly secured; a 
strap girding a lower mast and carrying lead- 
ing-blocks. 5. In ccram., a molding or con- 
tinuous ornament applied to the shoulder or 
neck of a vase or bottle, especially when twist - 
eil. divided into beads, or the like. 
necklaced (nek'last), a. [< necklace + -erP.] 
Having a necklace ; marked as with a necklace. 
The hooded and the iiecklaced snake. Sir W. Jones. 
necklace-moss (nek'las-mos), . The common 
pendent lichen, Usneabarbtita. Also called <<ll<- 
nio.sn anil tree-muss. 
necklace-poplar (iiek'las-pop'lar), . See 
fxmlur. 
necklace-shaped (nek'las-shapt), a. Same as 
iiKinilit'orni. 
necklace-tree (nek'las-tre), n. The bead-tree, 
{ trull ixilt ttllsi/1'fir/nr. 
necklandt (nek'land), ii. A nock or long strip 
of land. [Kare.] 
\\hatnamcsthenrstinhaMtaiit3didgluevnto8tretght8, 
bayes, harborouKhs, n00MWMb| crerki'>. 
llaklayt's Voyages, I. 572. 
necklet (nek'lot), n. [< neck + -let.] A sim- 
ple form of necklace. 
The full yellow, sherry-tinted specimens I of ami" i 
worked up into iit'cklt't* and beads, . . . are destined lo 
adorn the ebony necks of the dusky beauties of otahi-iti- or 
Timbm-too. Set. Amer., N. S., LX. 52. 
neck-mold ("ck'm61d),H. Samcus/ur/.'-HKiMi/ii/. 
neck-molding (nek'mOrding). . In arch., a 
small convex molding or astragal surrounding 
a column at the junction of the shaft andcapi- 
neck-piece inek'pes), . 1. Tlial p:irl of a suit 
of armor, especially plate-armor, which protects 
the neck; (lie eolletm. 2. Rarely, the gorget. 
3. A frill or a strip of lace or linen worn at 
the neck of a gown ; a tucker. 
A certain female ornament by some called ... a neck- 
piece, being a strip of tine linen or nm-lin 
Additon, tiuardlan, No. 100. 
neck-questiont (nek'kwes'chon), n. A matter 
of life and death; a vital question. 
The Sacrament of the Altar was the main touchstone to 
discover the poor Protestants. . . . This neck-<rue*tion, as 
I may term it. the most dull and duncicall Commissioner 
was able to ask. I'M.,. . li. Hist,, VIII. ii 26. 
neck-ring (nek'ring), n. In entnm., the pro- 
thorax when it is slender and somewhat elon- 
gate, as iu the A/ihideit or plant-lice. [Rare.] 
neck-strap (nek 'strap), n. A strap used on the 
neck of a horse, (a) A halter-strap. (6) Part of a 
martingale. 
necktie (nek'ti), . Properly, a narrow band, 
generally of silk or satin, worn around the neck, 
and tied in a knot in front; by extension, any 
band, scarf, or tie worn around the neck or fas- 
tened in front of the collar. 
neck-twine (nek'twin), n. In pattern-wearing, 
one of a number of small strings by which the 
mails are connected with the compass-board. 
K. H. Knight. 
neck-yerset (nek'vers), H. 1. A verse in some 
"Latin book in Gothic black letter" (usually 
Ps. li. l),formerly set by the ordinary of a prison 
before a malefactor claiming benefit of clergy, 
in order to test his ability to read. If the ordinary 
or his deputy said "legit utclericus" (he reads like a clerk 
or scholar), the malefactor was burned In the hand and 
set free, thus saving his neck. 
Yea, set fourth a nfckeiierne, to sane all manerof trespass 
ITS fro the feare of the sword of the vengeaunce of God put 
In the handcs of princes to take vengeaunce on all such ' 
Tyndale, Works, p. 112. 
Co/am. How the fool stare's ! 
/'/-/ And looks as if he were 
Conning his neck-rertte. 
.*/".-/, f/r'/-, Great Duke of Florence, ii. 1. 
Hence 2. A verse or phrase on the pronun- 
ciation of which one's fate depends ; a shib- 
boleth. 
These words, ' ' bread and cheese," were their neck- nentc or 
shibboleth to distinguish them; all pronouncing "broad 
and cause" being presently put to death. Fatter. 
neckwear (nek 'war), H. Neckties, cravats. 
scarfs, etc. 
neckweed (nek'wed), . 1. A small, widely 
diffused plant, I'eronica )>eregrina, once deemed 
efficacious in scrofula. 2. Hemp, as used for 
making ropes for hangmen's use. [Slang.] 
There Is an herbc whlche light fellowes merlly will call 
Gallowgrasse, A'eckcireedc, or the Trlstrams knot, or Saynt 
Audres lace, or a bastarde brothers badge, with a difference 
on the left side, &c. : you know my meaning. 
Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 240. 
Some call it neck-axed, for it hath a trlcke 
To cure the necke that 's troubled with the crick. 
John Taylor, Praise of Hemp-Seed. (A r orw.) 
neck-yoke (nek'yok), n. Same as yoke, 1. 
Necrobia (nek-ro'bi-ft), n. {NL., < Or. 
a dead body, + /ftpc, life.] A genus of beetles 
of the family Clerida'. 
necrobiosis (nek'ro-bi-6'sis), M. [KL., < Or. 
vcKpdc,, a dead body, + fiioc,, life, + -onto.] In 
pathol., degenerative progress toward and end- 
ing in the death of a portion of tissue. 
necrobiotic (nek*ro-bi-ot'ik), a. [< nerrulriottix 
(-ot-)+ -e.] Of, pertaining to, or characterized 
by necrobiosis. 
Necrodes (nek-ro'dez), n. [NL., < Gr. ven/iadiK, 
contr. of veKporior/f, like a dead body, < vexpof, a 
dead body, + r!of, form.] A genus of carrion- 
beetles of the family .xv/yi/i /''. 
Necroharpages (nek-ro-hiir'p_a-jez), n. pi. 
[NL..< Gr. vfK/)6f, a dead body, + aimaf (aptray-), 
a robber: see Harpax."] In Sundevall's system 
of classification, a group of birds of prey con- 
sisting primarily of the American vultures or 
Cathartidcs, considered as one of the cohorts of 
.led /litre.*, but with certain other genera, as 
Polynnnix, Milriign, l>ii/iti-iii.s, ami I>icliii/iij>hu/t, 
appended. See cut under Catlmrtr.s. 
necrolatry (nek-rol'a-tri), n. [< Gr. vcnp6c, a 
deail body, + larptia, worship.] Worship of the 
dead; worship of the spirits of the dead, or of 
ancestors: excessive veneration or sent imeutal 
roverenci toward the dead. 
necromant 
NecrolemUT (nck-rol'e-mer). ii. |.\L.. < <!r. j-/- 
n dead body, + NL. f^miir, <j. v.] 1. A 
genus of extinct 
lenmroid mam- 
mals of France, 
having the ca- 
nines reduced. _V. 
iiiifii/ini.i is the 
typical species. It 
is referred by Cope 
to the family Misii- 
An animal of this 
gem*. 
necrologic (nek- 
ro-loj'ik), n. [= 
I' 1 '. 
Egypt the native lan 
Ewald, Hist, Israel (trans.), III. 50. 
. . 
Ill I'l'nllHI-U T -iC.\ Lower Jaw of \ttrolemur tiitt-ardsi. 
Pertaining to a *'-'' 
necrology ; giving an account of the dead or of 
deaths. 
necrologist (nek-rol'o-jist), n. [< necrolog-y + 
-int.'] One who gives an account of deaths ; one 
who writes or prepares obituary notices. 
necrology (nek-rol'o-ji), M.; pi. necrologies (-jiz). 
[= F. necrologie = 8p. necrologia, necrologia = 
Pg. necrologio, necrologia = It. necrologia, < Gr. 
i'f/x5f, a dead body, + -'tjoy'ia, < %tyt tv, speak : see 
-ology.] 1. A register of persons, as members 
of a society, etc., who die within a certain time ; 
an obituary, or a collection of obituary notices. 
2. Formerly, in religious houses, a book 
which contained the names of persons for 
whose souls prayer was to be offered, as found- 
ers of the establishment, benefactors, and mem- 
bers. 
necromancer (nek'ro-man-ser), . [Formerly 
negromancer, nygromancer; <OF. nigromanceur, 
< nigromatice, necromancy: see tieci'nmancy.] 
One who practises necromancy; a conjurer; a 
sorcerer; a wizard. 
Kyng Henry of Castell had there with hym a nygroman- 
certtt Toilet. Berners, tr. of Frolssart's Chron., I. cccxxxif. 
There shall not be found among you any one . . . that 
useth divination, ... or a witch, or a charmer, or a con- 
suiter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necrwnancer. 
I '"it . xvllL 11. 
necromancing (nek'ro-man-sing), n. [< necro- 
nianc-y + -iw*/ 1 .] The art or practices of a 
necromancer; conjuring. 
All forms of mental deception, mesmerism, witchcraft, 
necromancing, and so on. /(. A. Prnctor. 
necromancing (nek'ro-man-sing), a. [< necro- 
manc-y + -i<7 2 .] Practising necromancy. 
The mighty necromancing witch. 
De (Juincty, Autobiog. Sketches, vL 
necromancy (nek'ro-man-si), H. [In earlier use 
corruptly nierotnancy, nigromancy, negromancy; 
< ME. nigromancie, nigromauticie, nygramansi, 
iiigremauncie, and, with loss of initial n, egra- 
inauncye, egremauncye, < OF. nigromatice, nigrc- 
menche, F. necromancie = Sp. nii/rontancia = Pg. 
necromancia, negromancia = It. necromanzia, 
iiegroma nzia, nigromanzia,(. L. necromantia, ML. 
corruptly nigromantia (a form simulating L. 
nigcr, black, as if the 'black art'), < Gr. vexpo- 
fiavreia, also venpo/iavrelov, an evoking of the 
dead to cause them to reveal the future,< vrxpAc , 
a dead body, + /tavreia, divination, < fiavrettaffai, 
divine, prophesy: see Mantis.'] 1. Divination 
by calling up the spirits of the dead and con- 
versing \yith them ; the pretended summoning 
of apparitions of the dead in order that they 
may answer questions. 
Of nytrramanri ynogh to note when she liket, 
And all the fetes full faire In a few yeres. 
Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 402. 
By his skill In necromancy, he has a power of calling 
whom he pleases from the dead. 
Sirift, Gulliver's TraveU, Hi. 7. 
2. The art of magic in general ; enchantment; 
conjuration ; the black art. 
So moche she sette ther-on hir entent, and lemed so 
moche of eirramawnft/e, that the peple cleped hir after- 
ward Morgain le fee, the suster of kynge Arthur. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), Hi. 6O8. 
Men maken hem danncen and syngen, clappyiiRC here 
Wenges to gydere. and maken gret noyse : and where It 
be by Craft or be Syyromancye. I wot nere. 
Mnmlerillc, Travels, p. 219. 
This palace standeth in the air, 
Bjr necnmaney placed there. 
Draijtnn, Xymphidia, L S4. 
necromantt, [Formerly also iiii/i'oiiiiiH/: < F. 
Hi'crinuaiit = Pg. iiffrin<mte,<. L. /ni-i-imniiitiiix. 
< Gr. venp6uavTic, a necromancer, < reitpof, a dead 
body, + /lavrtf, a diviner. Cf. necromancy.'] A. 
necromancer. 
