[lan.yard] n [ME lanyer thong, strap, fr. MF laniere] (1626) 1: a piece of rope or line for fastening something in a ship; esp: one of the pieces passing through deadeyes to extend shrouds or stays
2. a: a cord or strap to hold something (as a knife or a whistle) and usu. worn around the neck b: a cord worn as a symbol of a military citation
3: a strong line used to activate a system (as in firing a cannon or sounding a whistle)