lanyard
/ˈlanjəd
/(also laniard)
noun
1A rope used to secure or raise and lower something such as the shrouds and sails of a sailing ship or a flag on a flagpole.As the engine was lowered, the lanyard had actuated a valve that drove the hoist to its stowed position....
- When using vertical lifelines, use a lanyard 2 or 3 feet shorter than the standard 6 feet.
- The other three laughed and got the lanyards rigged up.
1.1A cord passed round the neck, shoulder, or wrist for holding a knife, whistle, or similar object.I looked first at the camera, saved by the lanyard round my wrist....
- Now, perhaps, we won't even be able to keep them in our inside pockets, but should keep them strung on a lanyard around our necks where they can be seen by both the police marksmen and the potential muggers who would steal them.
- This year in San Diego, a lot of people were wearing badges that were not clipped-on or pinned but were instead on a little lanyard around their necks.
Origin
Late Middle English lanyer, in the general sense 'a short length of rope for securing something', from Old French laniere. The change in the ending in the 17th century was due to association with yard1.