Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lanyard \Lan"yard\, n. [F. lani[`e]re thong, strap, OF.
   lasniere, fr. lasne strap, thong, L. lacinia lappet. flap,
   edge of a garment. Cf. {Lanier}.] [Written also {laniard}.]
   1. (Naut.) A short piece of rope or line for fastening
      something in ships; as, the lanyards of the gun ports, of
      the buoy, and the like; esp., pieces passing through the
      dead-eyes, and used to extend shrouds, stays, etc.

   2. (Mil.) A strong cord, about twelve feet long, with an iron
      hook at one end a handle at the other, used in firing
      cannon with a friction tube.

Source : WordNet®

lanyard
     n 1: a cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain
          types of cannon [syn: {laniard}]
     2: a cord worn around the neck to hold a knife or whistle [syn:
         {laniard}]
     3: (nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on
        ships [syn: {laniard}]