finger bowl

American  

noun

1. a small bowl to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table.

---

finger bowl British  

noun

1. a small bowl filled with water for rinsing the fingers at the table after a meal

---

Etymology

Origin of finger bowl

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

And while a missing finger bowl won’t seriously mar anyone’s evening, missing Daniel’s cheese cart might.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2013

Barnett brings me a plate with a finger bowl and doily on it.

From Time Magazine Archive

I remove the finger bowl and doily and John puts a glass saucer and a little bowl on the plate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Are you now, or have you ever been, a teen-ager perplexed by an array of silverware or by the problem of what to do with a finger bowl?

From Time Magazine Archive

“I haven’t a single finger bowl, but this is a setout that will last me all my days, Hannah says.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott