- kerchief
- \ \ see HANDKERCHIEF
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
kerchief
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Kerchief — Ker chief, n.; pl. {Kerchiefs}. [OE. coverchef, OF. cuevrechief, couvrechef, F. couvrechef, a head covering, fr. couvrir to cover + OF. chief head, F. chef. See {Cover}, {Chief}, and cf. {Curfew}.] 1. A square of fine linen worn by women as a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
kerchief — early 14c., curchef, earlier kovrechief (early 13c.), from Anglo Fr. courchief, O.Fr. couvrechief, lit. cover head, from couvrir to cover (see COVER (Cf. cover)) + chief head (see CHIEF (Cf. chief)) … Etymology dictionary
kerchief — ► NOUN 1) a piece of fabric used to cover the head. 2) a handkerchief. ORIGIN Old French cuevrechief, from couvrir to cover + chief head … English terms dictionary
kerchief — [kʉr′chif] n. [ME kerchef, coverchef < OFr covrechef < covrir, to COVER + chef, the head: see CHIEF] 1. a piece of cloth, usually square, worn over the head or around the neck 2. a handkerchief kerchiefed [kʉr′chift] adj … English World dictionary
Kerchief — A kerchief (from the French couvre chef , cover the head ) is a triangular or square piece of cloth tied around the head or around the neck for protective or decorative purposes. The popularity of head kerchiefs may vary by culture or religion,… … Wikipedia
kerchief — UK [ˈkɜː(r)tʃɪf] / US [ˈkɜrtʃɪf] / US [ˈkɜrˌtʃɪf] noun [countable] Word forms kerchief : singular kerchief plural kerchiefs old fashioned a piece of cloth that you wear around your neck or head … English dictionary
kerchief — [[t]kɜ͟ː(r)tʃɪf[/t]] kerchiefs N COUNT A kerchief is a piece of cloth that you can wear on your head or round your neck. [OLD FASHIONED] … English dictionary
kerchief — noun (plural kerchiefs; also kerchieves) Etymology: Middle English courchef, from Anglo French coverchef, cuerchief, from coverir to cover + chef head more at chief Date: 13th century 1. a square of cloth used as a head covering or worn as a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
kerchief — kerchiefed, kerchieft, adj. /kerr chif, cheef/, n. 1. a woman s square scarf worn as a covering for the head or sometimes the shoulders. 2. a handkerchief. [1250 1300; ME kerchef, syncopated var. of keverchef < OF cuevrechef lit., (it) covers… … Universalium
kerchief — noun /ˈkərtʃəf/ A piece of cloth used to cover the head … Wiktionary
Kerchief — Mentioned only Ezek. 13:18, 21, as an article of apparel or ornament applied to the head of the idolatrous women of Israel. The precise meaning of the word is uncertain. It appears to have been a long loose shawl, such as Oriental women wrap… … Easton's Bible Dictionary
