noun

handkerchief

handkerchief, hanky

He wiped his nose with a handkerchief.

He wiped his nose with a handkerchief.

She always carries a clean handkerchief.

She always carries a clean handkerchief.

a handkerchief a small cloth for wiping one's nose He wiped his nose with a handkerchief.

Synonyms: hanky, tissue (disposable)

From 'hand' + 'kerchief' (a cloth for the head). Literally, a kerchief for the hand.

Break it down: a small cloth ('kerchief') that you hold in your 'hand'. The 'd' is often silent in pronunciation.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.