Definition of "necklace" in English

noun

1. (jewelry) An article of jewelry that is worn around the neck, most often made of a string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached.

2. (figuratively) Anything resembling a necklace in shape.

   • a necklace of coral islands

3. (South Africa) A device used in necklacing (an informal execution); a rubber tyre that is filled with petrol. It is placed around the victim's chest and arms, and set on fire.

   • Necklacing on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

verb

1. (South Africa) To informally execute by necklacing; by setting on fire a petrol-filled rubber tyre which has been put around the bound victim's neck.

   • 2002 Buthelezi: A Biography by Ben Temkin Inkatha members have been hacked to death and necklaced, and their houses have been destroyed
   • 2000 Beyond Our Wildest Dreams: The United Democratic Front and the Transformation of South Africa by Ineke Van Kessel The first instance of necklacing occurred in March 1985 in the Eastern Cape township of KwaNobuhle.