handkerchief
UK: ˈhæŋkətʃɪf | US: ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf
n. a small square of cloth used for wiping the nose, face, or hands.
handkerchief = hand<part of the body> + kerchief<cloth covering>
- hand: From Old English hand, meaning "part of the body at the end of the arm."
- kerchief: From Old French couvrechief (literally "cover-head"), derived from couvrir (to cover) + chief (head). Over time, couvrechief was shortened to kerchief in English, referring to a cloth worn over the head.
Etymology Origin:
The word handkerchief emerged in the 16th century as a compound of hand and kerchief. Originally, a kerchief was a piece of cloth worn on the head (like a scarf). By adding hand, the term shifted to describe a smaller cloth carried in the hand for personal use. This reflects the practical evolution of the object from a head covering to a portable hygiene item.
She dabbed her tears with a lace handkerchief.
He always carries a folded handkerchief in his pocket.
The embroidered handkerchief was a gift from her grandmother.
In the past, handkerchiefs were often monogrammed.
He offered his handkerchief to the child with a runny nose.