hand·ker·chief

(hăng′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.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

handkerchief

(ˈhæŋkətʃɪf; -tʃiːf)

(Clothing & Fashion) a small square of soft absorbent material, such as linen, silk, or soft paper, carried and used to wipe the nose, etc

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

hand•ker•chief

(ˈhæŋ kər tʃɪf, -ˌtʃif)

n.

1. a small piece of fabric, usu. square, used for wiping the nose, eyes, etc., or worn as an accessory.

2. a neckerchief or kerchief.

[1520–30]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

handkerchief - a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

hankey, hankie, hanky

bandana, bandanna - large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief

piece of cloth, piece of material - a separate part consisting of fabric

pocket-handkerchief - a handkerchief that is carried in a pocket

handkerchief

noun hanky, tissue (informal), mouchoir, snot rag (slang), nose rag (slang) She blew her nose on her already damp handkerchief.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

مِنْدِيلمنديل، محْرَمَه

kapesník

lommetørklæde

nenäliina

maramicarupčić

zsebkendõzsebkendő

vasaklútur

fazzoletto

ハンカチ

손수건

nosinė

kabatlakatiņš

vreckovka

robec

näsduk

ผ้าเช็ดหน้า

mendil

khăn mùi xoa

手帕手绢

handkerchief

[ˈhæŋkətʃɪf] N → pañuelo m
see also pocket C

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

handkerchief

[ˈhæŋkə^rtʃɪf] n → mouchoir mhand-knitted [ˌhændˈnɪtɪd] adj → tricoté(e) à la main

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

handkerchief

n → Taschentuch nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

handkerchief

[ˈhæŋkətʃɪf] n → fazzoletto

handkerchief

(ˈhӕŋkətʃif) – plurals ˈhandkerchiefs ~ˈhandkerchieves (-tʃiːvz) – noun

(abbreviation hanky) (plural ˈhankies, ~hankie (ˈhaŋki) ) a small usually square piece of cloth or paper tissue used for wiping or blowing one's nose into.

handkerchief

→ مِنْدِيل kapesník lommetørklæde Taschentuch μαντήλι pañuelo nenäliina mouchoir rupčić fazzoletto ハンカチ 손수건 zakdoek lommetørkle chusteczka lenço носовой платок näsduk ผ้าเช็ดหน้า mendil khăn mùi xoa 手绢

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

He was seeking in his mind, then, for the least awkward means of retreat, when he remarked that Aramis had let his handkerchief fall, and by mistake, no doubt, had placed his foot upon it.

The handkerchief was indeed richly embroidered, and had a coronet and arms at one of its corners.

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LITTLE Benjamin said that the first thing to be done was to get back Peter's clothes, in order that they might be able to use the pocket handkerchief.

THEN he suggested that they should fill the pocket- handkerchief with onions, as a little present for his Aunt.

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The Yellow Handkerchief hesitated; but I repeated the order fiercely (much more fiercely than I felt), at the same time sending my hand to my hip.

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After Anna Mikhaylovna had driven off with her son to visit Count Cyril Vladimirovich Bezukhov, Countess Rostova sat for a long time all alone applying her handkerchief to her eyes.

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Accident had made me acquainted with the virtues of this estimable woman, and I felt assured that she would treat even a pocket- handkerchief kindly.

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The merry old gentleman, placing a snuff-box in one pocket of his trousers, a note-case in the other, and a watch in his waistcoat pocket, with a guard-chain round his neck, and sticking a mock diamond pin in his shirt: buttoned his coat tight round him, and putting his spectacle-case and handkerchief in his pockets, trotted up and down the room with a stick, in imitation of the manner in which old gentlmen walk about the streets any hour in the day.

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The coroner moved round to the end of the table and undid a silk handkerchief which had been passed under the chin and knotted on the top of the head.

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The first ten or fifteen times I wanted my handkerchief I didn't seem to care; I got along, and said never mind, it isn't any matter, and dropped it out of my mind.

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Thomas, though she was I retail trade,' was permitted to see them and to `get ideas.' They were all generous, these travelling men; they gave Tiny Soderball handkerchiefs and gloves and ribbons and striped stockings, and so many bottles of perfume and cakes of scented soap that she bestowed some of them on Lena.

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