neckful

English

Etymology

neck +‎ -ful

Noun

neckful (plural neckfuls or necksful)

1. As much as fills a neck.
   • 1834, Arthur Conolly, Journey to the North of India, page 42:

     It was said among the Yimoots on Goorgaun, that one man, the wealthiest among them, possessed seven hundred camels, five thousand sheep and goats, and two hundred mares; to wit, several necksful of money. The Toorkmuns keep their money and little valuable etceteras in large purses made of the skins of camels' necks.

   • 1959, John Berry, Krishna Fluting, page 63:

     Snatching the bottle, Jim Chen got a grip on Peter's head and poured a neckful of whisky down him.

   • 2002, Stephanie Adler, Stephen Wolf, Fodor's Japan, page 242:

     When a bird can't take in another ayu, the fisherman hauls it back to the boat, where it regurgitates its neckful.

   • 2005, Michael Lawrence, Young Dracula, page 12:

     He missed being young and fit and going out for a neckful of human blood when he wanted to.

2. As much as fits around a neck.
   • 2003, Katy Lederer, Poker Face: A Girlhood Among Gamblers, page 67:

     They looked about forty, with frazzled, husklike hair, and neckfuls of primitive jewelry that bespoke extensive experience traveling in tropical climes.

   • 2007, Amanda Brown, Janice Weber, School of Fortune:

     Now sufficiently mended to be seen in public, Dusi wore a low-cut black sheath, three-quarter-length black gloves, and a neckful of rubies.

   • 2010, George Davison Winius, The Brats of Briarcliff, page 99:

     This hillock was easily accessible and afforded a fast, if brief ride (and often a neckful of snow before a chute was worn).

   • 2011, Poe Ballantine, 501 Minutes to Christ: Personal Essays, page 47:

     All I had to remember Claudia by was an earring she had dropped on my floor and a neckful of embarrassing hickeys.