hanky

or han·kie

[ hang-kee ]

/ ˈhæŋ ki /

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noun, plural han·kies.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

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Origin of hanky

First recorded in 1890–95; han(d)k(erchief) + -y²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hanky in a sentence

If you want a more formal look, better to ditch the hankie altogether than impose straight lines.
Pocket Squares - A How-To By Prince Charles|Tom Sykes|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"I don't know as it couldn't be," said the man whom they called Hankie.
Jim Davis|John Masefield
Both Krikey and crikey were used and retained as were handkie and hankie.
New Treasure Seekers|E. (Edith) Nesbit

British Dictionary definitions for hanky

hanky

hankie

/ (ˈhæŋkɪ) /

noun plural hankies

informal short for handkerchief

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012