arch. Forms: 6 karknett, garganet, 7 carckanet(t, -kenet, -quenet, -conet, -kaneth, 7–8 carknet, 7–9 carkanet, 6– carcanet. [f. prec. + -ET, dim. suffix.
(No Fr. carcanet appears to be recorded, but it is difficult to believe that the word was entirely of Eng. formation.)]
1. An ornamental collar or necklace, usually of gold or set with jewels. arch.
(App. obs. from c. 1670 to 19th c.)
c. 1530. in Gutch, Coll. Cur., II. 313. A Karknett for my Lorde of Richemount.
1542. P’cess Mary’s Jewels, in Madden, Privy Purse Exp., 180. A carckanet. Ibid., 198. Item a karkenet.
1572. Gifts to Queen, in Nichols, Progr. Q. Eliz., I. 323. One riche carkenet or collor of golde, haveing in it two emeraldes.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 39. Thee pearle and gould crowns too bring with garganet heauye.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 357. To weare costly pearles and rich stones in carkanets about our necke.
1616. W. Browne, Brit. Past., II. iv. He might but see the Carknet where it lay.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. vii. 36. A gold chaine, or a carkenet of pearle.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, II. III. 204. A Carcanet of Gold.
1815. Moore, Lalla R. (1850), 56. Around the white necks of the nymphs … Hung carcanets of orient gems.
[erroneously. 1863. Sala, Capt. Danger., I. i. 5. The Don wears jewelled rings and carcanets on all his fingers.]
† b. A similar ornament for the head. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Fermaillet, a Carkanet, or border of gold, &c., such as Gentlewomen weare about their heads, or hoods.
1630. Marston, Ant. & Mel., II. I. ii. Curled haires, hung full of sparkling carcanets.
1822. Scott, Nigel, v. His high-crowned grey hat … encircled by a carcanet of large balas rubies.
2. transf. and fig.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T. (1613), 148. For thy Carcanets of pearle, shalt thou have Carcanets of Spiders.
1648. Herrick, Hesper. (1869), I. 43. Making a carkanet Of maiden-flowers.
1830. Tennyson, Adeline, v. A carcanet of rays.
1876. Macfarren, Harmony, vi. (ed. 2), 191. This, a carcanet of smiles, the other, a rosary of tears.
Hence Carcaneted a., furnished with a carcanet.
a. 1652. Brome, City Wit, IV. i. Her lip painted, her neck carkanetted.
