handkerchief

hand·ker·chief

H0044100 (hăng′kər-chĭf, -chēf′)n. pl. hand·ker·chiefs also hand·ker·chieves (-chĭvz, -chēvz′) 1. A small square of cloth used especially for wiping the nose or mouth.2. A large piece of cloth worn as a decorative article; a scarf.

handkerchief

(ˈhæŋkətʃɪf; -tʃiːf) n (Clothing & Fashion) a small square of soft absorbent material, such as linen, silk, or soft paper, carried and used to wipe the nose, etc

hand•ker•chief

(ˈhæŋ kər tʃɪf, -ˌtʃif)

n. 1. a small piece of fabric, usu. square, used for wiping the nose, eyes, etc., or worn as an accessory. 2. a neckerchief or kerchief. [1520–30]

Thesaurus

Noun

handkerchief - a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessoryhankey, hankie, hankybandana, bandanna - large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchiefpiece of cloth, piece of material - a separate part consisting of fabricpocket-handkerchief - a handkerchief that is carried in a pocket

handkerchief

noun hanky, tissue (informal), mouchoir, snot rag (slang), nose rag (slang) She blew her nose on her already damp handkerchief.

Translations

手帕手绢

handkerchief

(ˈhӕŋkətʃif) – plurals ˈhandkerchiefs ~ˈhandkerchieves (-tʃiːvz) – noun (abbreviation hanky) (plural ˈhankies, ~hankie (ˈhaŋki) ) a small usually square piece of cloth or paper tissue used for wiping or blowing one's nose into. 手帕

handkerchief

→ 手绢zhCN

handkerchief

handkerchief.

In classical Greece pieces of fine perfumed cotton, known as mouth or perspiration cloths, were often used by the wealthy. From the 1st cent. B.C., Roman men of rank used an oblong cloth of linen (the sudarium) chiefly to wipe perspiration from the face and hands. During the empire a square handkerchief of cotton or silk was carried, especially by women. The handkerchief was dropped by the praetors as a starting signal in the Roman games and was waved by spectators as a sign of approval. In the Middle Ages it was a prized possession and was conspicuously displayed by the wealthy. It was worn by knights in tournament as the symbol of a lady's favor. It came into general use in the Renaissance and was called a napkyn. Silk, cambric, and lawn, lavishly embroidered or laced, became fashionable for both men and women. Shapes were also varied. Today the handkerchief is more practical than decorative. Disposable paper handkerchiefs are used for all but very formal occasions. The handkerchief carried in the left hand of the officiating priest in the early Christian church evolved into a folded band that by the 12th cent. had become the maniple, worn on the left arm.

handkerchief

hand·ker·chief

handkerchief

hand•ker•chief

handkerchief

handkerchief

handkerchief

handkerchief

handkerchief.

handkerchief

Synonyms for handkerchief

noun hanky

Synonyms

Synonyms for handkerchief

noun a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

Synonyms

Related Words