Adjacent Words

Napkin definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

NAPKIN, n. [nape, cloth; of which napkin is a diminutive.]
1. A cloth used for wiping the hands; a towel.
2. A handkerchief.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing [syn: napkin, table napkin, serviette]
2: garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist; worn by infants to catch excrement [syn: diaper, nappy, napkin]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English nappekin, from nape tablecloth, from Anglo-French, from Latin mappa napkin Date: 14th century 1. a piece of material (as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes 2. a small cloth or towel: as a. dialect British handkerchief b. chiefly Scottish kerchief c. chiefly British diaper 3 3. sanitary napkin

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 (in full table napkin) a square piece of linen, paper, etc. used for wiping the lips, fingers, etc. at meals, or serving fish etc. on; a serviette. 2 Brit. a baby's nappy. 3 a small towel. Phrases and idioms: napkin-ring a ring used to hold (and distinguish) a person's table napkin when not in use. Etymology: ME f. OF nappe f. L mappa (MAP)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Napkin Nap"kin, n. [Dim. of OF. nape a tablecloth, cloth, F. nappe, L. mappa. See Napery.] 1. A little towel, or small cloth, esp. one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table. 2. A handkerchief. [Obs.] --Shak. Napkin pattern. See Linen scroll, under Linen. -- Napkin ring, a ring of metal, ivory, or other material, used to inclose a table napkin.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(napkins) A napkin is a square of cloth or paper that you use when you are eating to protect your clothes, or to wipe your mouth or hands. She was taking tiny bites of a hot dog and daintily wiping her lips with a napkin. N-COUNT

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Gr. soudarion, John 11:44; 20:7; Lat. sudarium, a "sweat-cloth"), a cloth for wiping the sweat from the face. But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luke 19:20), and as an article of dress, a "handkerchief" worn on the head (Acts 19:12).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

nap'-kin (soudarion; Latin sudarium): In Lu 19:20, the cloth in which the "unprofitable servant" wrapped the money of his lord; compare Joh 11:44; 20:7; see DRESS, sec. 7; HANDKERCHIEF.