handkerchief
pronunciation
How to pronounce handkerchief in British English:
UK [ˈhæŋkətʃɪf]
How to pronounce handkerchief in American English:
US [ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf]
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- Noun:
- a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
Word Origin
- handkerchief
- handkerchief: [16] Handkerchief is a compound formed from hand and the now obsolete kerchief ‘cloth for covering the head’ [13] (what in modern English would be called a head-scarf). This was acquired via Anglo-Norman courchef from Old French couvrechef, a compound of couvrir ‘cover’ and chief ‘head’. The colloquial abbreviation hanky is first recorded in the 1890s.=> chef, chief, cover, hand, kerchief
- handkerchief (n.)
- 1520s, from hand + kerchief, originally "cloth for covering the head," but since Middle English used generally as "piece of cloth used about the person." A curious confluence of words for "hand" and "head." By-form handkercher was in use 16c.-19c. A dropped handkerchief as a token of flirtation or courtship is attested by mid-18c.
Example
- 1. A gentleman carries a handkerchief in his front breast pocket .
- 2. I thought she was reaching for her handkerchief .
- 3. Dab the coffee off with your handkerchief .
- 4. But soon , from a corner of the frame , barrett peeled off a pale yellow sheet , which resembled a large damp handkerchief .
- 5. He did have a silk handkerchief , a couple of sticks and some string , so instead of getting himself up near the lightning , he flew a kite up to it .