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necktie

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A long strip of fabric worn around the neck, tied in a knot at the throat, a staple of formal and professional attire, appearing in poetry as a symbol of conformity, restraint, and the masculine office.

Detailed Definition
The necktie is one of the most ubiquitous modern garments for men, and its poetic treatment often focuses on its constriction—the "noose" of the office or the "leash" of social expectation. Poets describe its pattern, its silk shine, and the careful knot that can take minutes to perfect. In love poetry, a necktie given as a gift can be a touchstone of memory, its colors chosen by the beloved. In work poetry, the necktie is the uniform of the white-collar worker, its loosening at the end of the day a moment of relief. The act of straightening another person's tie is a gesture of care or intimacy. In satirical verse, the necktie can be mocked as a superfluous accessory, an emblem of bourgeois absurdity.
Example
Example in poetry:
"The necktie's silk knot was a perfect triangle, a geometry of conformity"; "He loosened his necktie and the day's work fell away"; "The necktie, patterned with tiny anchors, was his only gesture toward the sea"; "She straightened his necktie and kissed his cheek, a daily benediction"; "The necktie hung from the doorknob like a noose of the office"; "He chose the red necktie for courage, though the meeting was only a formality"
Additional Notes
The necktie is one of the most ubiquitous modern garments for men, and its poetic treatment often focuses on its constriction—the "noose" of the office or the "leash" of social expectation. Poets describe its pattern, its silk shine, and the careful knot that can take minutes to perfect. In love poetry, a necktie given as a gift can be a touchstone of memory, its colors chosen by the beloved. In work poetry, the necktie is the uniform of the white-collar worker, its loosening at the end of the day a moment of relief. The act of straightening another person's tie is a gesture of care or intimacy. In satirical verse, the necktie can be mocked as a superfluous accessory, an emblem of bourgeois absurdity. Related terms include cravat, ascot, and bow tie. Students should note the necktie's role as a symbol of conformity, professionalism, and male social performance.
Also Known As
cravat long tie formal neck band
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