accolade
ac•co•lade (ak´əlād´, ak´əlād´) n.
[[Fr < Prov acolada < VL *accolare, to embrace < L ad, to + collum, neck: see wheel]]
1 an embrace formerly used in conferring knighthood
2 a touch on the shoulder with the flat side of a sword, now used in conferring knighthood
3
a) anything done or given as a sign of great respect, approval, appreciation, etc.
b) [usually pl.] words of praise
4 Music brace1 (sense 5b)
