handkerchief

Meanings

• noun

  A small piece of fabric, usually square or rectangular in shape, used for wiping the nose, mouth, or other parts of the body, especially during crying or when one's hands are dirty.

  - "She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears."
  - "The old man carried a handkerchief to mop his brow in the heat."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈhæŋkətʃiːf/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9021971"
2. /ˈhæŋkɚtʃɪf/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1762956"

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Synonyms

hanky , pocket handkerchief

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with handkerchief
chief , grief , relief , sneeze , seize

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Variants

List of all variants of handkerchief that leads to same result
handkerchief , handkerchiefs , handkerchieves

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally, a handkerchief was a piece of cloth that was hand-woven or hand-embroidered, often as a gift or a sign of wealth. The term comes from the Old English 'handsceaf,' which means 'hand-covered cloth.'

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Handkerchiefs were once used as currency in some parts of Europe.

2. During the Middle Ages, handkerchiefs were often embroidered with the initials of the person who owned them.

3. In some cultures, it is considered bad luck to hand a handkerchief to someone directly.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. hankie: A colloquial term for a handkerchief.

2. pocket square: A large, decorative handkerchief worn in the breast pocket of a jacket.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Handkerchiefs have been used for various cultural, historical, and symbolic purposes. In some countries, handkerchiefs are used as a sign of respect or as a token of love. In literature, handkerchiefs have appeared in numerous works, such as Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin.'

How to Memorize "handkerchief"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a small piece of fabric, usually square or rectangular in shape, that is used for wiping the nose, mouth, or other parts of the body.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'handkerchief' with the image of a small piece of fabric used for wiping the nose or other body parts.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by associating the word 'handkerchief' with the phrase 'Handy for wiping my cheek'.

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