handkerchief

American  

[hang-ker-chif, -cheef] / ˈhæŋ kər tʃɪf, -ˌtʃif /

noun

1. a small piece of linen, silk, or other fabric, usually square, and used especially for wiping one's nose, eyes, face, etc., or for decorative purposes.

2. a neckerchief or kerchief.

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handkerchief British  

/ ˈhæŋkətʃɪf, -tʃiːf /

noun

1. a small square of soft absorbent material, such as linen, silk, or soft paper, carried and used to wipe the nose, etc

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Etymology

Origin of handkerchief

First recorded in 1520–30; hand + kerchief

Example Sentences

Dishes in the sink, yellowed newspapers stacked waist high, and a soiled handkerchief next to a sagging armchair.

From Literature

I see Amina wipe the tears from her eyes with her handkerchief, and I feel bad that such fine fabric is being filled with sorrow, hers and mine.

From Literature

Her history of Kleenex tissues is a tour de force: We learn that the Kimberly-Clark Corp., which owns Kleenex, played on the fear that reusable handkerchiefs were essentially wads of tuberculosis germs.

From The Wall Street Journal

A man desperately searching for a handkerchief while trying to stifle a sneeze, the world’s oldest magician making a comeback — these hilarious bits require no context.

From Los Angeles Times

"He landed it on a handkerchief," says Aiken.

From BBC

Related Words

• bandana
• scarf