■ 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 ~ 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 ~ 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 ~ down ) become narrow at a particular point when subjected to tension.
Phrases
get (or catch ) it in the ~ Brit. informal be severely criticized or punished.
~ and ~ level in a race, competition, or comparison.
~ of the woods informal a particular area or locality.
up to one's ~ in informal deeply or busily involved in.
Derivatives
-~ed adjective
~er noun
~less adjective
Origin
OE hnecca 'back of the ~', of Gmc origin.