dog collar
- noun
- /dɔg ˈkɑlər/
- As the ceremony began, the bishop adjusted his dog collar, a traditional symbol of his clerical duties.
Examples
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During the service, the priest's dog collar was a clear indicator of his role within the church.
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Including a bishop and lots of people wearing the priestly dog collar.
Blog text (24) -
The church officials gathered, each wearing a distinctive dog collar that signified their religious authority.
Synonyms
A band worn around the neck for identification, control, or ceremony
A stiff white band worn around the neck by Christian priests and ministers to show they are church leaders
A stiff white band that some Christian priests wear around the neck
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositionally derived: 'dog' modifies 'collar' to indicate a collar associated with or styled like one worn by dogs. A B1 learner who knows 'dog' and 'collar' can readily infer a collar either for a dog or a necklace resembling a dog’s collar, so the relation is transparent.
Etymology
Dog collar for clergy is a nickname that comes from the small white band looking like a pet's dog's collar, so people used that picture to describe it. That's why it refers to the stiff white band some priests wear as a sign of their role.