Ac`co*lade" [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.
2. Mus.
A brace used to join two or more staves.
© Webster 1913.