(handkerchief)

  • 1Handkerchief — 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

  • 2handkerchief — (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

  • 3handkerchief — The recommended plural is handkerchiefs, not handkerchieves …

    Modern English usage

  • 4handkerchief — ► NOUN (pl. handkerchiefs or handkerchieves) ▪ a square of cotton or other material for wiping one s nose …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5handkerchief — [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

  • 6Handkerchief — 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

  • 7handkerchief — 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

  • 8handkerchief — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ clean ▪ crumpled, dirty ▪ pocket ▪ lace, linen, paper, silk …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 9handkerchief */ — 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

  • 10handkerchief —   Hainakā, hinakā.    ♦ Pocket handkerchief, hainakā pa eke, hainakā pakeke.    ♦ Paper handkerchief, hainakā pepa …

    English-Hawaiian dictionary