handkerchief

English

Etymology

From hand +‎ kerchief.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhæŋkət͡ʃɪf/, /-t͡ʃiːf/
  • Audio (Received Pronunciation); /ˈhæŋkət͡ʃiːf/:(file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhæŋkəɹt͡ʃəf/, [ˈheɪŋ-]
  • Audio (General American):(file)
  • Hyphenation: hand‧ker‧chief

Noun

handkerchief (plural handkerchiefs or handkerchieves)

  1. A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands.
    Synonyms: (informal) hanky, pocket handkerchief
    Hyponym: pocket square
    He sneezed into his handkerchief during the meeting.
    • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 5, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad:
      Mr. Banks’ panama hat was in one hand, while the other drew a handkerchief across his perspiring brow.
  2. A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a neckerchief or neckcloth.

Alternative forms

Derived terms

Descendants

  • → Hawaiian: hinakā
  • → Maori: aikiha

Translations

Further reading

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