[ 'akəleɪd , ˌakə'leɪd ]
■ noun
1》 something granted as a special honour or in recognition of merit.
2》 a ceremonial touch on a person's shoulders with a sword at the bestowing of a knighthood.
Word History
When it entered English in the 17th century the word ~ referred to a gesture performed by a monarch when knighting someone: an embrace around the neck, a kiss, or a touch on the shoulders with a sword. The word comes via French from Provençal acolada , literally 'an embrace around the neck', ultimately from Latin ad- 'to' and collum 'neck'; through collum it is linked to words such as collar and décolletage .