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handkerchief

 - 4 dictionary results

hand⋅ker⋅chief

[hang-ker-chif, -cheef]
–noun
1. a small piece of linen, silk, or other fabric, usually square, and used esp. for wiping one's nose, eyes, face, etc., or for decorative purposes.
2. a neckerchief or kerchief.

Origin:
1520–30; hand + kerchief
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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hand·ker·chief   (hāng'kər-chĭf, -chēf')   
n.   pl. hand·ker·chiefs also hand·ker·chieves (-chĭvz, -chēvz')
  1. A small square of cloth used especially for wiping the nose or mouth.

  2. A large piece of cloth worn as a decorative article; a scarf.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

handkerchief 
1530, from hand + kerchief "cloth for covering the head" (see kerchief). Thus it is a one-word contradiction in terms.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Bible Dictionary

Handkerchief

Only once in Authorized Version (Acts 19:12). The Greek word (sudarion) so rendered means properly "a sweat-cloth." It is rendered "napkin" in John 11:44; 20:7; Luke 19:20.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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