Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Handkerchief — Hand ker*chief (h[a^][ng] k[ e]r*ch[i^]f; 277), n. [Hand + kerchief.] 1. A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping the face or hands. [1913 Webster] 2. A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
handkerchief — (n.) 1520s, from HAND (Cf. hand) + KERCHIEF (Cf. kerchief) cloth for covering the head. Thus it is a one word contradiction in terms. By form handkercher was in use 16c. 19c. A dropped handkerchief as a token of flirtation or courtship is… … Etymology dictionary
handkerchief — The recommended plural is handkerchiefs, not handkerchieves … Modern English usage
handkerchief — ► NOUN (pl. handkerchiefs or handkerchieves) ▪ a square of cotton or other material for wiping one s nose … English terms dictionary
handkerchief — [haŋ′kər chif΄, haŋ′kərchēf΄] n. pl. handkerchiefs [haŋ′kərchifs΄, haŋ′kərchivz΄, ] also [ haŋ′kərchēfs΄, haŋ′kərchēvz΄] [ HAND + KERCHIEF] 1. a small, square piece of linen, cotton, silk, etc., for wiping the nose, eyes, or face, or carried or… … English World dictionary
Handkerchief — A handkerchief (also called handkercher or hanky) is a form of a kerchief, typically a square of fabric that can be carried in the pocket, for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one s hands or blowing one s nose, but also used as a… … Wikipedia
handkerchief — noun /ˈhæŋkətʃɪf,ˈhæŋkɚtʃɪf/ a) A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands. b) A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a neckerchief or neckcloth.… … Wiktionary
handkerchief — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ clean ▪ crumpled, dirty ▪ pocket ▪ lace, linen, paper, silk … Collocations dictionary
handkerchief */ — UK [ˈhæŋkə(r)ˌtʃɪf] / US [ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf] noun [countable] Word forms handkerchief : singular handkerchief plural handkerchiefs or handkerchieves UK [ˈhæŋkə(r)ˌtʃiːvz] / US [ˈhæŋkərtʃɪvz] a small square piece of cloth or paper used for wiping your… … English dictionary
handkerchief — Hainakā, hinakā. ♦ Pocket handkerchief, hainakā pa eke, hainakā pakeke. ♦ Paper handkerchief, hainakā pepa … English-Hawaiian dictionary
handkerchief — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. nose cloth, sudarium; neckerchief; bandanna, foulard; scarf, headcloth, headkerchief. See clothing. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. kerchief, napkin, neckerchief, headband, tissue, paper handkerchief, rag*,… … English dictionary for students
