napkin

[ nap-kin ]

noun

1. a small piece of cloth or paper, usually square, for use in wiping the lips and fingers and to protect the clothes while eating.
2. sanitary napkin.
3. Chiefly British. a diaper.
4. Scot. and North England. a handkerchief.
5. Scot. a kerchief or neckerchief.

napkin

/ ˈnæpkɪn /

noun

1. Also calledtable napkin a usually square piece of cloth or paper used while eating to protect the clothes, wipe the mouth, etc; serviette
2. rare.
   a similar piece of cloth used for example as a handkerchief or headscarf
3. a more formal name for nappy 1
4. a less common term for sanitary towel

Word History and Origins

Origin of napkin¹

1350–1400; Middle English, equivalent to nape tablecloth (< Middle French nappe < Latin mappa napkin) + -kin; map

Word History and Origins

Origin of napkin¹

C15: from Old French, from nape tablecloth, from Latin mappa small cloth, towel; see map

Example Sentences

That these infinities are not the same was proved in the late 19th century by Georg Cantor in a manner so simple, you could sketch it out to your friends on a bar napkin.

From Nautilus

When Pat died there were boxes and suitcases full of neatly folded napkins.

From Washington Blade

Few restaurants listen when you tell them you don’t need napkins and utensils.

From Washington Post

Also, I use way too many paper towels, so I bought cloth napkins and dish towels.

From Outside Online

Returning to his home in a clock tower he finds a number written on a napkin belonging to a love interest.

From Washington Post

And if trickle-down could start on a dinner napkin, surely the process of reversing its malignant effects can start with a book.

From The Daily Beast

She wrote down her phone number on a bar napkin and told him to call her sometime.

From The Daily Beast

Maple wrote down on a napkin strategies that he promised would cut homicides in half within two years.

From The Daily Beast

I went to accept the award, and I was still holding my dinner napkin in my hand.

From The Daily Beast

One of my favorite early memories at Facebook was planning the back-to-school campaign with Mike on the back of a napkin.

From The Daily Beast

He was quick to observe and nothing escaped him, from the improvised candlesticks to the napkin by his china plate.

From Project Gutenberg

He remembered the log-house and his supper, when Mandy Ann served from a dinner-plate, and his napkin was a pocket handkerchief.

From Project Gutenberg

It is well to carry in your pocket a small pincushion, and, having unfolded your napkin, to pin it at the belt.

From Project Gutenberg

You may wipe off the worst of the spot with your napkin, and then let it pass without further notice.

From Project Gutenberg

The table-cloth was full of stains, and, in lieu of a napkin, each guest was at liberty to use his handkerchief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cloth
• towel