neckful

plural neckfuls · plural necksful

1. As much as fills a neck.

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

   2005, Michael Lawrence, Young Dracula, page 12

   3 more examples

   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.

   1834, Arthur Conolly, Journey to the North of India, page 42

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

   1959, John Berry, Krishna Fluting, page 63

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

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

2. As much as fits around a neck.

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

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

   3 more examples

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

   2003, Katy Lederer, Poker Face: A Girlhood Among Gamblers, page 67

   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.

   2007, Amanda Brown, Janice Weber, School of Fortune

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

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