A compound of neck + lace, where lace meant 'cord' — from Latin laqueus 'noose.'
A piece of jewelry worn around the neck, typically consisting of a chain, string of beads, or pendant.
A compound of neck + lace, where 'lace' meant 'cord, string' (from Old French las 'cord, snare,' from Latin laqueus 'noose'). The word is surprisingly modern — earlier English used terms like 'carcanet' or simply 'chain.' Key roots: *laq- (Proto-Indo-European: "to snare, catch").