I. ˈkä-lər noun
Etymology: Middle English coler, from Anglo-French, from Latin collare, from collum neck; akin to Old English heals neck, and probably to Old English hwēol wheel — more at wheel
Date: 14th century
1. : a band, strip, or chain worn around the neck: as
a. : a band that serves to finish or decorate the neckline of a garment
b. : a short necklace
c. : a band placed about the neck of an animal
d. : a part of the harness of draft animals fitted over the shoulders and taking strain when a load is drawn
e. : an indication of control : a token of subservience
f. : a protective or supportive device (as a brace or cast) worn around the neck
g. : clerical collar
2. : something resembling a collar in shape or use (as a ring or round flange to restrain motion or hold something in place)
3. : any of various animal structures or markings similar to a collar
4. : an act of collaring : arrest , capture
• col·lared -lərd adjective
• col·lar·less -lər-ləs adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1613
1.
a. : to seize by the collar or neck
b. : arrest , grab
c. : to get control of : preempt
we can collar nearly the whole of this market — Roald Dahl
d. : to stop and detain in unwilling conversation
collar the guest of honor
2. : to put a collar on
collar a dog