n. [ F. accolade, It. accolata, fr. accollare to embrace; L. ad + collum neck. ] 1. A ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood, consisting of an embrace, and a slight blow on the shoulders with the flat blade of a sword. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Mus.) A brace used to join two or more staves. [ 1913 Webster ]