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dog collar

dog collar

1 6.8
A stiff white collar with no front opening worn by some priests or ministers
  • noun
  • /dɔg ˈkɑlər/
translation icon : collar eclesiástico
  • As the ceremony began, the bishop adjusted his dog collar, a traditional symbol of his clerical duties.

Examples

  • During the service, the priest's dog collar was a clear indicator of his role within the church.

  • 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

collar
vsdog collar
103 1.6

A band worn around the neck for identification, control, or ceremony

is a religious neck symbol worn by some clergy rather than for animals or decoration
clerical collar
vsdog collar
1 7.4

A stiff white band worn around the neck by Christian priests and ministers to show they are church leaders

is used by some clergy as a distinctive symbol rather than by all office holders
Roman collar
vsdog collar
1 8.4

A stiff white band that some Christian priests wear around the neck

is used by some clergy as a distinctive symbol rather than by all members

Surface Forms

dog collar singular
dog collars plural

Morphology

dog + collar

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.