Lanyard

[lan-yerd] /ˈlæn yərd/

noun
1.
Nautical. a short rope or wire rove through deadeyes to hold and tauten standing rigging.
2.
any of various small cords or ropes for securing or suspending something, as a whistle about the neck or a knife from one’s belt.
3.
a cord with a small hook at one end, used in firing certain kinds of cannon.
4.
a colored, single-strand cord worn around the left shoulder by a member of a military unit awarded a foreign decoration.
5.
a white cord worn around the right shoulder, as by a military police officer, and secured to the butt of a pistol.
/ˈlænjəd/
noun
1.
a cord worn around the neck, shoulder, etc, to hold something such as a whistle or knife
2.
a similar but merely decorative cord worn as part of a military uniform
3.
a cord with an attached hook used in firing certain types of cannon
4.
(nautical) a line rove through deadeyes for extending or tightening standing rigging
n.

also laniard, alternative spelling (influenced by nautical yard (2) “long beam used to support a sail”) of Middle English lainer, “thong for fastening parts of armor or clothing” (late 14c.), from Old French laniere “thong, lash,” from lasniere, from lasne “strap, thong,” apparently altered (by metathesis and influence of Old French las “lace”) from nasliere, from Frankish *nastila or some other Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *nastila- (cf. Old High German, Old Saxon nestila “lace, strap, band,” German nestel “string, lace, strap”), from PIE root *ned- “to knot.”