English Explanatory Dictionary

napkin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A serviette; a (usually rectangular) piece of cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth and hands for cleanliness while eating.
  2. A nappy (UK), a diaper (American).
  3. A small scarf worn on the head by Christian women (chiefly Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) when entering a church, as a token of modesty.
  4. Ellipsis of sanitary napkin.

Pronunciation

/ˈnæpˌkɪn/ [ˈnæpˌkʰɪn] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-napkin.wav

Word forms

napkin napkins

Etymology

From Middle English napkyn, equivalent to nape (“cloth”) + -kin.

Derived words

back-of-the-napkin fapkin lapkin napkinette napkinless napkinlike napkin math napkinned napkin rash napkin ring sanitary napkin tail-napkin
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