neck

Everyday

1. The neck is the part of the body that joins the head to the shoulders. tree →
2. The neck of a bottle or a guitar is its long, thin top part. tree →
3. The neck of a shirt or jumper is the part that goes around your neck. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the body, the neck holds the windpipe, the food pipe and the top of the spine, and it lets the head turn. In safety it is a part to protect: never put cords or ropes round your neck, and a neck injury is serious, so do not move someone who hurt it. In stories «neck and neck» means two runners or teams are exactly level; «a pain in the neck» means an annoying person or job; «up to my neck» means very busy or in deep trouble.

Examples

• A giraffe has a very long neck. tree →
• My neck is stiff from sleeping badly. tree →
• Wrap a scarf around your neck when it is cold. tree →
• Hold the bottle by its neck. tree →
• The neck of this jumper is too tight. tree →
• The two horses were neck and neck at the finish. tree →
• Never pull a cord tight around anyone's neck. tree →
• Turn your neck slowly to the left and right. tree →
• "What is that on your neck?" tree →

Note

Countable: one neck, two necks. The back of the neck is the «nape». Do not confuse «neck» with «throat»: the throat is the inside front of the neck where food and air go down. «Necklace» is jewellery worn round the neck.

In Jewish tradition

In the stories of Jacob, Esau, Joseph and Benjamin, falling on the neck is a sign of loving reunion. The Writings also use the neck as a picture of strength, as in the strong neck of the wild beast in Job, and as a place for jewels, as in the Song of Songs.

Interpretation. Tradition notes that Esau's kiss on Jacob's neck was debated by the commentators, some saying it was sincere. The Song of Songs is read by the tradition as a love song between God and Israel, so the neck adorned with beads is a picture of Israel beautified by God's gifts.

Examples

• And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. (Torah GEN.45.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept. (Torah GEN.33.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck. (Torah GEN.27.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hast thou clothed his neck with fierceness? (Writings JOB.39.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• In his neck abideth strength, and dismay danceth before him. (Writings JOB.41.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy cheeks are comely with circlets, thy neck with beads. (Writings SNG.1.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: one neck, two necks. The back of the neck is the «nape». Do not confuse «neck» with «throat»: the throat is the inside front of the neck where food and air go down. «Necklace» is jewellery worn round the neck.