napkin

American  

[nap-kin] / ˈnæp kɪn /

noun

1. a small piece of cloth or paper, usually square, for use in wiping the lips and fingers and to protect the clothes while eating.

2. sanitary napkin.

3. Chiefly British. a diaper.

4. Scot. and North England. a handkerchief.

5. Scot. a kerchief or neckerchief.

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napkin British  

/ ˈnæpkɪn /

noun

1. Also called: table napkin.  a usually square piece of cloth or paper used while eating to protect the clothes, wipe the mouth, etc; serviette

2. rare a similar piece of cloth used for example as a handkerchief or headscarf

3. a more formal name for nappy 1

4. a less common term for sanitary towel

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Etymology

Origin of napkin

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to nape tablecloth (< Middle French nappe < Latin mappa napkin) + -kin; map

Example Sentences

Dad was wiping his mouth with his napkin.

From Literature

The warm breeze sends dirty napkins and empty ketchup packets fluttering across the parking lot.

From Literature

I went to the table for breakfast and smiled real big every time I said, “Please pass the milk” or “Please pass a napkin.”

From Literature

My meal came with metal utensils and a cloth napkin.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was trying to figure it out when Coogie wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed his chair back.

From Literature

Related Words

• cloth
• towel