serviette

[sur-vee-et]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a table napkin.

serviette

/ ˌsɜːvɪˈɛt /

noun

1. a small square of cloth or paper used while eating to protect the clothes, wipe the mouth and hands, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of serviette¹

1480–90; < Middle French, equivalent to servi ( r ) to serve + -ette -ette; for the formation, oubliette

Word History and Origins

Origin of serviette¹

C15: from Old French, from servir to _serve ; formed on the model of _oubliette

Example Sentences

I took the imperative “there should be napkins, too, real ones” seriously and raided the nearby Goodwill’s linen section, lucking into a dozen identical crisp white serviettes.

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I use a serviette that has been left on the side to wipe down the plate and then my face, then make my way back along the narrow corridors and into the restaurant.

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“I say this with so much love and affection, but I feel like we’re doing up a house together and he’s like, ‘Look at this serviette that I fashioned into the shape of two swans!

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Or it may be their wish to imply that they’re still so young and hip that it is laughable for them to be, say, ironing the serviettes before a dinner party.

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Would I even have trouble tossing these serviettes streaked with memories?

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Related Words

• cloth 
• towel